Daniel Pauly’s answers for ocean conservation in one booklet

Oceana has just published a booklet that compiles all of the articles contributed in the past decade by the Sea Around Us PI, Dr. Daniel Pauly, to the NGO’s thrice-yearly magazine.

The columns’ topics were chosen to address the concerns and questions that mattered to Oceana’s supporters, public-spirited people who are not scientists. The articles, thus, were written with what is now called “science communications” front and centre, aiming to explain complex issues with a jargon-free, non-specialized language.

From explaining what are small-scale fisheries or distant-water fleets, to debating whether science and advocacy are compatible, Dr. Pauly’s columns reflect the need for modern ocean conservation to rely on science.

“Science-driven policymaking requires scientists willing to communicate with regulators and lawmakers on the ‘operational’ questions that drive the difference between ocean depletion and abundance,” Andrew Sharpless, CEO of Oceana from 2003 to 2024, wrote in the booklet’s foreword.

Sharpless pointed out that as a member of Oceana’s Board of Directors, Dr. Pauly attended over 70 meetings during which he provided guidance on the science needed to correctly make fundamental strategic choices regarding the NGO’s global campaigns.

“We now have more than 300 policy wins that cut overfishing, conserve habitat, stop pollution, protect endangered species, and require the transparency essential to honest and effective ocean management. Every single one of those victories was informed by Daniel’s expertise and advice,” Sharpless noted and, going back to the presentation of the booklet, he added: “We hope this collection will inspire other distinguished marine scientists to find ways to share their insights in language and in fora that assist policymakers and marine advocates in saving the ocean and helping to feed the world.”

The full Ask Dr. Pauly” Columns: Answers for Ocean Conservation volume can be accessed here.