In commemoration of the World Ocean Day and the lead-up to the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting, the University of Sydney (USYD) is making waves with groundbreaking oceanic initiatives. These efforts are not only inspiring but also critical in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. From sustainable livelihood projects in the South Pacific to genomic conservation programs for threatened species, USYD’s interdisciplinary approach showcases the power of collaboration in fostering a healthier planet.

The university’s focus spans various domains, including:

• Sustainable livelihoods within the water-energy-food security nexus
• Genomic resources for managing Australia’s threatened species
• Innovative bioinformatic tools for conservation management

As these efforts converge, they underscore a unified commitment to ocean health and biodiversity, inspiring actions and policies that resonate worldwide.

Sustainable Livelihoods in Coastal Environments

The current interdisciplinary collaboration of the USYD Marine Studies Institute’s co-director, Associate Professor Eleanor Bruce, has focused on methods for incorporating sustainable livelihoods within the water-energy-food security nexus. This has involved using spatial modelling and remote sensing to assess environmental livelihood security (ELS) in coastal environments of the South Pacific.

Bioinformatic Tools: Empowering Conservation Managers Worldwide

Professor Carolyn Hogg, for her part, is the lead of the Threatened Species Initiative, a national program in Australia that is generating genomic resources for management actions for Australia’s threatened species. This program has 204 collaborators across the country generating genomic resources for both terrestrial and marine species, including the Maugean skate, grey nurse shark, and the white-bellied seahorse.

 “Biodiversity is essential for all life on earth, including humans, and as humanity has made significant technological advances that have massively impacted the planet, it is within our capacity to use these technologies to improve how we protect it,” said Professor Carolyn Hogg, the Science Lead & Chair of the national Threatened Species Initiative.

“We need people to reconnect with nature and recognize that it is not what we say or do that matters, but how we act.”

Prof. Hogg’s team and the Threatened Species Initiative have developed a range of bioinformatic tools to permit easy use of genomics to informing conservation management decisions. These tools have been specifically designed for conservation managers who undertake activities to conserve species. As part of the program a free on-line training course has been developed and released via Youtube for easy access anywhere in the world, including subtitles to ensure accessibility for non-English speakers. In addition, the team developed free on-line bioinformatic tools that can be used on Galaxy Australia by the Life Sciences community in Australia and the South Pacific. The biodiversity assessment toolset (to be released in late 2024) will allow conservation end-users to be able to report against the genetic requirements under the Convention on Biological Diversity. To date, there have been over 1,000 views on the Youtube training modules, and more than 300 conservation end-users will be trained in genetic literacy by the end of 2024.

“Through the Threatened Species Initiative, we have seen a change in the management practices of both terrestrial and marine species using genomic data,” Prof. Hogg said.

The synergy between these initiatives has the potential to create transformative change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the imperative of collaborative efforts. By integrating technological advancements, community engagement, and robust policy frameworks, we are forging a path towards sustainable management and preservation of our marine environments. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate ecological challenges but also sets a precedent for future conservation endeavors, ensuring the resilience and vitality of oceanic life for generations to come.

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World Ocean Day, powered by the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council on June 8 and year round, catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate. The APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting will be held June 24-26 on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori name for Auckland) under the theme “Oceans – The World’s Challenges Divide Us, the Ocean Currents Connect Us.”