Evan J. Andrews and Ratana Chuenpagdee, Memorial University and the Ocean Frontier Institute Module I, have secured funding for a multi-year project, Moving Together for Marine Conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador (399k, 2022-2026). The project is funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, under the Oceans Management Contribution Program.

Moving Together is a public outreach and capacity building project, with four objectives. First, the project seeks to build a collaborative platform for knowledge and information exchange with ocean leaders and users, partners, and the general public about marine and ocean conservation. Second, the project aims to broaden the knowledge base by identifying relationships among ocean leaders and users, and with ocean spaces and resources to inform marine conservation in NL. Third, the project will develop an engagement strategy, awareness raising tools and outreach activities that help strengthen connections among ocean users and leaders, incorporating their values and experiences. Fourth, the project will explore pilots such as marine refuges and marine protected areas to highlight social, cultural, and economic values and identify knowledge gaps, enhancing thus an understanding of how and why communities and groups are experiencing diverse impacts, and what capacities are needed.

On the awarding of the project, co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Andrews said,

"I am excited to engage with people in Newfoundland and Labrador to learn about marine conservation from their perspectives. We are grateful for the support and insights from Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador region in the development of this project, and encourage ocean users and lovers in this province to reach out, and tell us your perspective about marine conservation."

The project builds on an earlier project, Catalyzing Step Zero for Marine Conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Moving Together will use the Step Zero Digital Platform (www.gettingconservationright.com) aimed at learning and sharing knowledge about a diverse view of marine conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you want to participate in Moving Together or share your story, perspective, photos, or recipe for the platform, please reach out to us at gettingconservationright@gmail.com.