TULIP News 007

In October 2024, Marina Treskova from the TULIP Planetary Health team participated in the Sixth International Workshop in Monaco, organized by the Monaco Scientific Center (CSM) and the Marine Environment Laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The workshop, titled “Bridging the Gap Between Ocean Acidification Impacts and Economic Valuation: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Address Multiple Ocean Stressors,” brought together scientists, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the growing threats to our oceans and coastal ecosystems.

Workshop Overview

The workshop focused on the complex interactions between local and global stressors affecting marine ecosystems, including pollution, plastics, invasive species, eutrophication, ocean warming, and ocean acidification. These stressors often compound each other, intensifying their impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health. The overarching goal was to explore these interactions, identify solutions grounded in research evidence, and formulate policy recommendations for integrated ocean sustainability.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

1. Pollution and Health Impacts:
   • Direct Impacts: Exposure to contaminated seafood, leading to food safety and security issues, particularly affecting resource-limited communities.
   • Mitigation Efforts: Development of affordable treatment technologies, green chemistry, enhanced waste management, and raising pollution awareness.
   • Governance: Enforcement of global pollution monitoring, stronger regulations to reduce CO₂ emissions and environmental pollutants, and alignment with international legal instruments.
2. Invasive Species (AIS):
   • Socio-Economic Impacts: AIS outcompete native species, affecting tourism and fisheries, imposing significant economic burdens.
   • Solutions: Development of tracking and early detection systems, habitat restoration, and integration of AIS control into Marine Protected Area (MPA) policies.
   • Case Study: Cypriot restaurants turned invasive lionfish into a sought-after dish, supporting ecological balance and local economies.
3. Plastic Pollution:
   • Environmental Impacts: Plastics contribute to climate change and directly harm marine life, with over 1,500 marine species documented ingesting plastics.
   • Solutions: Enforcement of producer responsibility, reduction of plastic production, improved waste management, and promotion of circular economy practices.
   • Case Study: Monaco’s Zero Single-Use Plastic Waste Policy exemplifies progressive action through community engagement and policy implementation.
4. Eutrophication:
   • Environmental Impacts: Excess nutrient growth leads to “dead zones,” biodiversity loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
   • Solutions: Improvement of wastewater treatment, implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and protection of coastal vegetated ecosystems.
   • Case Study: Seaweed mariculture in Xiangshan Bay (East China Sea) demonstrates the potential of macroalgal aquaculture as a Nature-based Solution for water quality improvement.

Policy Recommendations

• Integrated Approach: Adoption of a cross-sectoral systems thinking approach that links chemical control, waste management, nutrient reduction strategies, and invasive species management.
• International Cooperation: Strengthening of international partnerships to share data and strategies for managing multiple stressors.
• Nature-based Solutions: Implementation of NbS such as constructed wetlands, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes to filter nutrients and enhance biodiversity.
• Economic Incentives: Creation of incentives to make recycled plastic more competitive and investment in advanced recycling technologies.
• Research Focus: Prioritization of research on the combined effects of multiple stressors, alternative materials, and the effectiveness of current recycling approaches.

Conclusion

The Monaco Workshop highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to address the multiple stressors affecting marine ecosystems. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based policy-making, the workshop underscored the importance of integrated approaches to achieve ocean sustainability. The TULIP team’s participation reinforced the project’s commitment to addressing these global challenges through robust research and collaborative efforts.