Energy and Environment Program

Ocean Community Study and Dialogue

The Energy & Environment Program’s Ocean Community Study & Dialogue was an exploration of recent marine protection advocacy and policy targeting unsustainable fishing. The initiative focused on opportunities for improving the design and implementation of spatial management strategies and policies that can reduce the impact of overfishing on ecosystems and fisheries biomass. 

In view of the need for greater collaboration and alignment within the ocean conservation community, the Aspen Institute conducted a year-long project evaluating recent marine protection advocacy and policy, the state of cohesion within the ocean conservation community, and strategies for building a more coordinated and aligned marine protection movement.

Through externally commissioned studies from the Nicholas Institute of Environmental Policy Solutions and the Aspen Advocacy Planning and Evaluation Program, as well as an in-person, multi-day dialogue among 30 members of the ocean conservation community, the Aspen Institute gathered information and perspectives from this community to inform the activities of conservation groups, funders, policymakers and other key stakeholders. 

Participants in the December 2012 dialogue deliberated on potential improvements to the design and implementation of tools such as Marine Protected Areas, while building on the work of existing conservation efforts. The resulting report is based on a year-long investigation into challenges to coordination within the ocean conservation community and how organizations can better support each other’s marine protection efforts. This study is the first in a planned series of dialogues focused on marine conservation tools and relevant policy.

- The final report will be released here in March 2013 -

Why did the Institute develop this Oceans Community Study & Dialogue? Members of the ocean community have inquired into the effective design and implementation of spatial management tools such as marine reserves, and the need for further focus on political, policy, and social challenges that might impede success. The Ocean Community Study & Dialogue examined the potential to improve the way advocacy groups, funders, and other decision makers work together to implement spatial methods for reducing overfishing.

Our Partners
The Aspen Institute collaborated with several organizations on the Oceans Community Study & Dialogue:

Our sincere gratitude to the Waitt Foundation for their dedication and support of these efforts.

Contact Us: To learn more about the Aspen Institute Ocean Community Study & Dialogue, contact Nicole Buckley, Senior Program Manager, at nicole.buckley@aspeninstitute.org.