EAST Marine Ecosystems (EASTME) conference
23rd May 2024, Lincoln
Programme below
Access PDFs of the presented slides here in the conference archive
The new EAST Marine Ecosystems (EASTME) initiative is testing the idea of annual reporting on the state of the marine environment on a regional scale in the English East Marine Plan area* We will be hosting a one-day conference at the University of Lincoln to discuss the latest developments in the region through 11 thematic topics along with an introduction to the marine Natural Captial Programme from Defra.
At just £30 a ticket, the day aims to create networks, open communication and build relationships among people in the marine and coastal community, including citizen scientists, academics, managers, policy makers, industry, dedicated volunteers and the public, to enable regional scale reporting on the state of marine natural capital. The EASTME project forms part of the Natural Capital approaches at the land-sea interface (LSI) project, which is being led by the Environment Agency under Defra’s Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme. The proposed work will deliver the LSI project’s work package on ‘Mobilising marine social capital’. Purchase your ticket here to join
The conference is an opportunity to reflect on local observations, research outputs and findings from 2023, and to make the linkages between environmental and biological phenomena through 11 thematic topics. These findings and discussions are then collated to provide the content for an EASTME public ‘State of the East Seas’ annual report.
Location of the conference: David Chaddick Building, University of Lincoln, LN5 7BD. View it on Maps here. We recommend using the train to attend but the nearest public parking is at St. Marks which is located opposite the campus and a very short walk away from the David Chiddick Building. Visit Us – St Marks Lincoln.
Outline Programme (09:30 – 16:30)
Welcome to the conference from Mark Schuerch, Associate Professor Physical Geography, University of Lincoln
Introduction to the marine Natural Capital Programme, Mike Nelson, Senior Advisor, mNCEA Land-Sea Interface Project Lead, Environment Agency
Introduction to East Marine Ecosystems and next steps, Bob Earll
Session 1, Chair: Mark Schuerch, University of Lincoln
- Oceanography, Plankton & Productivity: Rodney Forster, Hull University & colleagues
- Seabed and seashore: Ian Wilson, Benthic solutions
- Coastal & Estuarine Habitats: Speaker TBA
Discussion of the relationships and interactions between thematic topics
Break and refreshments
Session 2, Chair: Tammy Smalley, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
- Marine & coastal birds: Dave O’Hara RSPB
- Marine mammals – Seals: Beth Thompson, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- Marine mammals – Cetaceans: Peter Evans, SeaWatch Foundation
- Fish, fisheries and shellfish: Rui Viera, Cefas
- Marine planning: Alex Curd, Marine Management Organisation
Discussion of the relationships and interactions between thematic topics
Break and refreshments
Session 3, Chair: Adele Powell, The Wash and North Norfolk Marine Partnership
- Marine Protected Areas: Jennifer Love, Natural England
- Water Quality: Sewage, Storm overflows and other pollutants: Speaker TBA
- Plastic pollution and marine debris: Wiliam Fitter, Eunomia & East of England Plastics Coalition
- Energy in the Marine Environment: Jon Rees, Cefas & colleagues
Discussion of the relationships and interactions between thematic topics
EASTME Next steps – facilitated discussion
We hope you can join us to celebrate being part of the newly established EASTME! Please share with colleagues and within your networks if you think there is someone who may want to join.
If you would like to hear more about EASTME directly or to be involved in one or more of the 11 Communities of Practice, please sign up to its dedicated mailing list here.
* The EASTME region runs includes inshore and waters in the UK’s Exclusive economic zone, running from Flamborough Head in the North to the southern Suffolk border, including the Humber and Wash.