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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

With this #oceanpositive message we close our #GES4SEAS MOOC series thanking you all for having followed us during these weeks! #OceanOptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

The Network of European Blue Schools is promoting the inclusion of the ocean in school curricula, enabling schools to obtain the European Blue School Certification. To date, more than 500 schools have already been certified […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

Jacques Ives Cousteau once said that “We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.” #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

We are ending this #GES4SEAS #MOOC During one month, you have seen that: - We have the #policies, - We have the #science, - We need the #society, ... - We need you to change the narrative about the #ocean in communication! We need #OceanOptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 23/02/2026

We will repost and comment your examples, which can serve to others to take action! Help us to expand the good news about the #ocean and promote a change of narrative #GES4SEAS needs you! Comment here, provide your examples, repost and come to the last 2 days of the #MOOC #MarineEcology #Research

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 18/02/2026

You can discover the #MPAs in the world, and their status, using this link of Protected Planet, where 16,805 MPAs are presented www.protectedplanet.net/en/thematic… #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism #MarineEcology #Research

this screenshot, from the Protected Planet, shows the current situation of MPAs, you can navigate there

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 18/02/2026

...in recent years the increase in the marine areas protected is impressive, and we have near 3 times the surface protected 10 years ago #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism #MarineEcology #Research

this graph, from the Marine Protected Atlas, shows the growth in marine protected areas coverage, globally

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 18/02/2026

Implemented and designated Marine Protected Areas #MPAs occupy >23 M km2 and there are >10 M km2 proposed. We are still far from the objective of 30% but…. #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism #MarineEcology #Research

this table, from the Marine Protection Atlas, shows the status of the marine protection areas in the world

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 16/02/2026

These authors consider that rebuilding marine life by 2050 is an achievable challenge for science and society This requires action to reduce #pressures and #climatechange, safeguarding places of remaining abundance, and recovering depleted populations and […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

these graphs, from Duarte et al in Nature, in 2020, show the recovery projections for assessed fish stocks

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 16/02/2026

Also, Duarte et al show the recovery trends of marine populations, For example, assessed fish stocks and marine mammals, with clear recovery They show many examples of hope, if management is adequately undertaken #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism #MarineEcology #Research

these graphs from Duarte et al, in Nature in 2020, show the status of fish stocks, marine mammals populations and some recovery trends

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 16/02/2026

These authors show the global growth of restoration interventions, These have been done in #MPAs Marine Protected Areas, #coral and oyster reefs, #saltmarshes, #mangroves, kelps and #seagrasses There is a clear increase of recovery in recent years #GES4SEAS […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

this graph from Duarte et al, in Nature in 2020, shows the global increase in marine protected areas and the restoration projects on coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, etc.

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 13/02/2026

The most important reasons for this reversal in seagrass abundance are, #management measures, including habitat #restoration, seagrass transplant, #eutrophication reduction, among several others Hence, it can be done!

infographics showing some of the most important pressures at sea. After removing some of them, ecosystems can recover, as seagrass

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 13/02/2026

Since then, loss rates slowed down for most species and fast-growing species recovered in some locations This resulted in a net rate of change in #seagrass area, experiencing a reversal in the 2000s, in Europe

graph showing the seagrass reversal in Europe in recent decades

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 11/02/2026

The High Seas Treaty is legally binding for the 81 nations that have ratified it They agree to put it into effect at the national level However, several major economies have not yet ratified it, such as the US, India, UK or Russia This could be a problem, by there is hope

map of the world, showing the countries having signed or ratified the High Seas Treaty

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 11/02/2026

These high seas regions make up over two-thirds of the #ocean's surface, representing over 90 % of the earth's habitat by volume. Until now, these areas were not protected, and everyone could exploit them without limit. However, from now…

map of the globe, showing the areas beyond national jurisdiction

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 11/02/2026

At global level, we have good news! In January, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement entered into force. This legally binding UN High Seas Treaty covers the ocean zones that lie beyond national waters What does this mean? #GES4SEAS […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

image showing the High Seas Treaty main features

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

Other coastal systems around the world have also recovered thanks to the stewardship of local communities, such as in Palau with #mangroves and #seagrasses, and pangas for fishing. We are happy receiving your comments on similar examples of recovery in your country

image of seagrass and mangrove recovery, as well as a sunset with pangas for fishing

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

Participatory studies, conducted with local communities, have shown that depleted species and ecosystems have recovered in many locations around the world, supporting thriving ecosystems and fisheries, as in these photos from Geoff Shester, in Baja California #oceanoptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

In Baja California, Mexico, fishing communities organized in cooperatives have established voluntary #marineprotectedareas, kelp forest monitoring and #restoration projects to protect and recover their kelp forests following collapse from extreme hypoxia and marine heatwaves

divers monitoring kelps, credits by Elba López

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 09/02/2026

We follow today with our #GES4SEAS #MOOC on #oceanoptimism. Coastal ecosystems and the fishing communities that depend on them are impacted globally by extreme #climate events (storms, heatwaves, etc.) and human pressures, as in these lobster and sea cucumber #fisheries

photos showing fishers in a beach, preparing the boats to fish lobsters, and a diver fishing sea cucumbers

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 06/02/2026

Many other large marine vertebrates have also increased in numbers thanks to protection, including #whales and sea #turtles. All of this is in benefit of #biodiversity, but also on marine health, and human well-being #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

this photo from NOAA shows a green turtle in Florida

this graph from NOAA, shows the increasing number of green turtle nests in Florida

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 06/02/2026

Studies have shown that thanks to this recovery, #kelp beds have increased and shoreline erosion has been reduced. In this photo from Laney White @usgs-quakebot.bsky.social, you can see some sea otters resting in kelps recovered in this coast and providing […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

otters resting in kelps, photo by Laney White USGS

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 06/02/2026

In California, sea otters were once thought to be extinct but an isolated population of about 50 was found in 1914. Subsequently protected by laws and treaties, they have slowly recovered, as shown in this graphic from @usgs-quakebot.bsky.social #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

this figure shows the sea otter recovery in California, since 1990, credit USGS

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 06/02/2026

Marine #megafauna is at risk in many seas Sea otters are iconic predators in the north Pacific, but they were heavily hunted for their fur in the 18th and 19th centuries, as @nancyknowlton.bsky.social comments in this post #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

photo showing the skin of sea otters, in 1892, by @NOAA archives

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/02/2026

Also, it resulted in a recovery of #ecosystemservices, such as recreational fishing and bathing waters, which even cover the costs of #restoration. This is happening in many other estuaries and coasts being restored across the world! #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

graphic by Sarai Pouso, AZTI, showing the recovery of bathing waters and recreational fishing, in monetary terms

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/02/2026

Now, it has achieved a good ecological status, sensu #WFD, for most of the ecosystem components, such as #phytoplankton, #benthos or #fish…. This has happened in many other European countries, thanks to the #WFD #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

graphic describing the recovery of different ecosystem components, by Elliott, M., Á. Borja, R. Cormier, 2025. Managing marine resources sustainably – But how do we know when marine management has been successful? Ocean & Coastal Management, 265: 107623.

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/02/2026

After decades of degradation and #pollution (mining, industry, discharges), #management measures have dramatically changed the quality of the estuary. This was because of the European Water Framework Directive #WFD, approved in 2000 #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

these 2 pictures, from Consorcio Bilbao Bizkaia, show the mouth of the estuary in 1976 (polluted) and in 2005 (clean)

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/02/2026

We start our examples of good news with the recovery of the estuary of Bilbao, in Northern Spain This picture shows the evolution of estuarine #biodiversity in past 30 years #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

this graphic, from Consorcio Bilbao Bizkaia, shows the evolution of biodiversity in the estuary, across 30 yr

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 02/02/2026

You will learn about good practices and examples of recovery and good status of marine ecosystems around the world, You can share them with your friends, students or family! It is a good opportunity to change behaviour towards the #ocean #GES4SEAS #MOOC #oceanoptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 02/02/2026

What news do you hear about the ocean? Media tends to highlight negative aspects such as #pollution, #overfishing, #biodiversity loss, #climatechange impacts, etc. This makes society pessimistic about the future of the #ocean #GES4SEAS #MOOC

examples of bad news about the ocean in media

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 02/02/2026

Welcome to a new #MOOC of #GES4SEAS project on #oceanoptimism, to be developed during next four weeks, on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. Come and help us to change the narrative about the ocean! We need some hope and good news!

Ocean optimism: hope for the ocean and societies
MOOC #6, February 2026
GES4SEAS project

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 23/01/2026

How do media communicate marine science? In addition to trusted scientific information, we need to provide hope in the future to society, with examples of good practices. Let's learn about these in this #MOOC, starting on February 2️⃣. Stay tuned! #GES4SEAS #oceanoptimism

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/12/2025

The purpose of #EBM is to rigorously manage the endogenous pressures we can control to enhance the ecosystem's resilience, making it strong enough to withstand the exogenous pressures. Thank you for joining us for this #GES4SEAS #MOOC on the topic of #EBM […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 24/12/2025

Where as Exogenic (external) pressures: We cannot manage these at a regional level. For example, the large-scale impacts of global climate change, such as #oceanwarming, #acidification, and #deoxygenation in the wider North Atlantic.

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 24/12/2025

#EBM is pragmatic. It forces us to separate pressures into two types: Endogenic and Exogenic. Endogenic (internal) pressures: We can manage these through regulating activities. For example, fishing intensity in the #BayofBiscay, localised pollution from rivers, or shipping noise.

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 22/12/2025

This week, our final question for the topic of #EBM: Can an ecosystem really be "managed"? The short answer is no. We don't manage the ecosystem; we manage the human activities that impact it. This is a critical distinction. #MOOC #GES4SEAS #EBM focuses on […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 19/12/2025

How do we find the right tool? Well, we have a tool for that too! #SEAS4GES is a decision-support tool that helps users identify the most appropriate Ecosystem-Based Management approach for their specific needs and data context. It builds on a structured […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 19/12/2025

Numerous tools assist #EBM planning and evaluation, yet selecting the correct one remains difficult. To help with this, the #GES4SEAS project tested and adapted specific instruments at learning sites, ultimately combining these tools into the #Tikta toolbox. #MOOC

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 17/12/2025

A tool for #CumulativePressures is SCAIRM. This is a risk-based framework for evaluating the cumulative impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems and ecosystem services. It can integrate both qualitative (expert-based) and quantitative (spatial […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 17/12/2025

For #EBM, a single tool may be insufficient. As with a Rubik’s Cube, the #GES4SEAS #OceanCube requires strategies for each side; the different tools available can inform various strategies. They might be highly effective for one side but fail once you try […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 12/12/2025

#EBM is about people too 👥 By bringing in social and political data, policymakers can shape what’s called a Programme of Measures (PoM); a plan of actions to protect and restore ecosystems. Before going ahead PoMs are evaluated to predict affects on nature […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 10/12/2025

We can see: 🌊Areas that are most vulnerable 🌊Combined pressures 🌊Our gaps in knowledge Coupled with Marine Spatial Planning (#MSP), which minimizes conflicts over space and clarifies who uses what, these assessments form the foundation for decision-making under #EBM. ✍️

Image source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/problue/publication/marine-spatial-planning-for-a-resilient-and-inclusive-blue-economy-toolkit

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 08/12/2025

So far in this #MOOC we’ have explored some core principles of #EBM (Ecosystem-Based Management) 🌊but here’s something we haven’t yet talked about: 👉 EBM isn’t a one-off process. It’s cyclical and constantly evolving. How does this make the ends meet? Stay tuned to find out…

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 05/12/2025

As we can see so far in this #MOOC, it is a balancing act ⚖️. #EBM seeks a sustainable balance, rather than letting one sector's goals (for instance, energy) undermine the health of the entire system (for instance, conservation goals and activities). 🌊🌊

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/12/2025

...with the urgent need for #OffshoreRenewableEnergy to transform Europe into a climate-neutral continent by 2050. Siting wind farms needs careful planning to minimise conflict with fishing grounds and avoid sensitive habitats... all while managing risks from […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/0db53974-6ca8-11ee-9220-01aa75ed71a1

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/12/2025

#EBM is a strategy for managing trade-offs. In the #Atlantic, for example, this means balancing the needs, such as sustainable harvests, socio-economic viability, and the physical space required, of the #fishing and #aquaculture sectors… #GES4SEAS #MOOC

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 01/12/2025

This week in the #GES4SEAS #MOOC, we're exploring the many dimensions of #EBM. These are the competing sectors we must manage in order to protect our marine environment. In the #Atlantic (for example, the #BayofBiscay), there is the challenge to balance various sectors demands?

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 28/11/2025

So, is #EBM just a concept on paper? Not at all. 📜 It is already shaping how we manage European seas, through global conventions, directives, regional policies, and local implementation. Stay tuned for next week’s #MOOC on how EBM spans marine sectors & the related challenges🚧

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/11/2025

👉 The #MarineStrategyFrameworkDirective is one of the #EU’s main tools to protect the marine environment. Its goal? Achieving "Good Environmental Status" of EU seas. 🌍 And the approach? You guessed it ➡️ Ecosystem-based. 🌊 Internationally, #EBM pops up too! […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

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GES4SEAS MOOCs @ges4seas-mooc.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 24/11/2025

Is #Ecosystem-Based Management just another buzzword scientists use? 🌊👩‍🔬 Or is it something society already works with? Spoiler: #EBM is not imaginary, it’s embedded in the way we manage our seas through laws, directives, & policies across all scales. ⚖️#GES4SEAS #MOOC

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