Mundus maris

2023 will be a year focused on implementing international agreements. We will continue to prioritise action in support of prosperous and sustainable artisanal fisheries through the Small-Scale Fisheries Academy with emphasis on the implementation of global Sustainable Development Goals and the Voluntary Guidelines for Ensuring Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries at local and national levels underpinned by academic work. In this context, we shall continue participating in advocacy with the WTO and its member states to ratify the agreement for phasing out harmful fisheries subsidies while also engaging in further negotiations to close remaining gaps. The “Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework,” adopted at COP15 in December 2022 sets global targets for urgent action between now and 2030. Target 3—the 30 by 30 goal—is the most momentous and needs to be pursued with engaged and informed consent for siting of protected land and marine waters by indigenous groups and artisanal fishers and farmers. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is gaining momentum to improve our understanding of the ocean and enhance ocean literacy. We will, among others contribute again with activities on and around World Ocean Day, 8 June.

2022 is the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA2022). With several postponements due to the pandemic it's an even more crucial year for the ocean than 2021 was expected. The Second UN Ocean Conference is scheduled in June in Lisbon, a major conference on biodiversity should set new targets to revert us from the trend to mass extinctions, more countries are making commitments towards ocean protection expected to translate into more concrete delivery, including bringing to a successful close the on-going UN negotiations about protecting 30% of the ocean and 30% of the land area by 2030 (30 X 30). All this must bring about changes to our wasteful production and consumption patterns. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is getting into gear and improve our understanding of the ocean and enhance ocean literacy. And we continue to put pressure on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) negotiation to phase out harmful fisheries subsidies, which must finally deliver. That would also be an important step to curb widespread Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing costing legitimate businesses and developing countries' fiscal authorities billions as well as constituting a major threat to viable and prosperous small-scale fisheries. We will continue our advocacy and awareness-raising activities in these directions and keep supporting the implementation of global Sustainable Development Goals and the Voluntary Guidelines for Ensuring Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries at local levels underpinned by academic work. 

2021 is a crucial year for the ocean. Not only are major conferences on biodiversity and climate expected to set us on pathways towards profoundly more responsible ways to organise our energy demands and change our production and consumption patterns accordingly; the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) promises advances in international cooperation to eliminate many white spots on ocean maps and enhance ocean literacy. We also expect advances in the on-going UN negotiations about protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30 X 30). This is necessary to safeguard biodiversity, avoid fishery collapse and build ocean resistance to climate change. And we continue to put pressure on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) negotiation to phase out harmful fisheries subsidies, which missed last year's deadline but is not at all off the table. On the contrary, it is one of the important steps to curb widespread Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing costing legitimate businesses and developing countries' fiscal authorities billions as well as constituting a major threat to viable and prosperous small-scale fisheries. We will continue our advocacy and awareness-raising activities in these directions and keep supporting the implementation of global Sustainable Development Goals and the Voluntary Guidelines for Ensuring Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries at local levels underpinned by academic work. 

Our pledge to support implemenation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 "Life Under Water" taking into account its links with other SDGs provides strong guidance for our continued efforts to link global issues - challenges and opportunities - to regional, national and local actors and actions. We continue to invest into the development of the small-scale fisheries academy and are keen to team up with others to expand internationally to facilitate scaling up efforts to implement the SSF Guidelines. The youth contest for Mundus maris Awards and events to celebrate World Oceans Day will again feature on our agenda - this year's UN motto is "innovation for a sustainable ocean". The forthcoming UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) will see active preparations enter into their final stage this year.

Our pledge to support implemenation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 "Life Under Water" taking into account its links with other SDGs provides strong guidance for our continued efforts to link global issues - challenges and opportunities - to regional, national and local actors and actions. The youth contest for Mundus maris Awards and events to celebrate World Oceans Day will again feature on our agenda as part of connecting us all to the ocean and its improved protection. We shall continue with our awareness raising work in several countries and put additional effort in seeking partnerships with others to increase reach and effectiveness of activities with a focus on implementing year one of the small-scale fisheries academy in Senegal, open to expression of interest in other countries. The forthcoming UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) will see active preparations throughout this and the next year.

Following on from the first UN Ocean Conference ever in 2017 and our pledge to support implemenation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 "Life Under Water", we will continue our efforts to link global issues - challenges and opportunities - to regional, national and local actions. The youth contest for Mundus maris Awards and events to celebrate World Oceans Day will again feature on our agenda as part of connecting us all to the ocean and its improved protection. We will continue to seek partnerships with others to increase reach and effectiveness of activities and this year start our exploration about the best ways to implement the small-scale fisheries academy.

In 2017, the challenge will be on translating the Sustainable Development Goal 14  "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development" into practical action on the ground in every country and region. Mundus maris will continue its activities along the lines of doing and sharing research and conducting and supporting cultural activities about the major threats to the ocean and what we can do together about them. World Oceans Day activities will again constitute a highlight of our annual work programme. The youth contest and the partnering with others to offer events around 8 June will afford excellent opportunities to engage for the ocean and the people of the sea.

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In 2016, a major focus will be on implementing the various international, regional and national commitments for protecting the ocean and the climate. Mundus maris will continue its path of doing and sharing research and cultural activities about the major threats to the ocean and what we can together do about them. World Oceans Day activities will again provide an excellent opportunity for connecting more and more people to the ocean and the people of the sea.

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2015 is an important year for the ocean and the people of the sea in more than one way. Climate negotiations should lead to an ambitious global treaty. The Millennium Development Goals should be succeeded by post 2015 objectives and we will only know at the end whether country representatives agree to a specific objective for the ocean, the giver of life. Food security is a continued concern for millions of people. In Europe, the major challenge is implementing the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy effectively on the ground. Mundus maris will continue its path of doing and sharing research and cultural activities about the three major threats to the ocean and what we can together do about it. We engage with others in developing the new narratives of sustainable living with the ocean and take action together.

Cooperation with other organisations with whom we share objectives and concerns is a major thrust for project-based activities in 2014. Among these are major academic, public and civil society organisations. The 2014 programme will again contribute several activities to Campus Plein Sud at the Free University in Brussels (ULB), such as a lunch debate with major personalities about the international dimension of implementing the reform of the European Common Fisheries Policy. One of the academic highlights will be the international roundtable sponsored by the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Vancouver, Canada. We also hope to galvanise young people to protect our oceans through the invitation for international school partnerships to celebrate World Oceans Day 2014 together under the auspices of Mrs. Maria Damanaki, member of the European Commission. Come with us on the journey.

Our activities in 2013 are set to consolidate existing lines of work, while also diversifying activities and collaborations. This is reflected in increased use of our website and the social media as a resource in support of those activities. Likewise, Mundus maris members and associates participate in and contribute to other organisations' activities, always in pursuit of advancing the objective of critically engaging people of all ages, but particularly young people, in living in better harmony with the sea, nature in general and fellow citizens. Mobilising the sciences and the arts together is a key to addressing the challenges to our societies in an effective way and join forces to protect our seas, the origin of life and intimately linked to climate, biodiversity and the very shape of many of our societies.

Our activities in 2012 are set to consolidate existing lines of work, while also diversifying activities and collaborations. This is reflected in increased use of our website as a resource in support of those activities. Likewise, Mundus maris members and associates participate in and contribute to other organisations' activities, always in pursuit of advancing the objective of critically engaging people of all ages, but particularly young people, in living in better harmony with the sea, nature in general and fellow citizens. Mobilising the sciences and the arts together is a key to addressing the challenges to our societies in an effective way and join forces to protect our seas, the origin of life and intimately linked to climate, biodiversity and the very shape of many of our societies.

The expansion and diversification of activities and actors, collaborating with Mundus maris continues in 2011 and is also reflected in increased use of our website as a resource in support of those activities. Likewise, Mundus maris members and associates participate in and contribute to other organisations' activities, always in pursuit of advancing the objective of critically engaging people of all ages, but particularly young people, in living in better harmony with the sea, nature in general and fellow citizens. Mobilising the sciences and the arts together is a key to addressing the challenges to our societies in an effective way and join forces to protect our seas, the origin of life and intimately linked to climate and biodiversity.

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2009-2010 is seeing Mundus maris developing activities around its core objectives. We are also diversifying what we do focussing on expanding the school network, organising exhibitions, conducting lunch debates and producing printed materials in view of building up a portfolio of projects and resources about the sea and the people of the sea.

This section covers a selection of specific projects. Exhibitions we organise alone or in partnership and other activities are covered in the respective other sections.

A series of articles, studies and projects, which explore the tensions communities experience in different parts of the world when local traditions clash with the conditions and demands of an increasingly globalised world. Nowhere is this more visible than in fisheries and coastal zones, where most fisheries products originate from, close of 40% of which is traded internationally. That means, even once remote villages and traditional lifestyles are confronted with the demands, threats and opportunities of a global market. Perhaps only the communication revolution is having more profound effects on values, perceptions and the way people make sense of what's happening and how they navigate these waters.

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SeeArt - youth exhibition - Sciences and Arts for Sustainability. Hilden, Germany, 26 June to 17 July 2011.Together with the Municipal Gymnasium Helmholtz and the Municipal Office for Culture in Hilden, Mundus maris is organising a youth exhibition bringing together artistic reflections on the sea.

The Biennale of Dakar has taken place in 2010 from 7 May to 7 June in the Senegalese capital. It is THE meeting place for contemporary African art in Africa and in the diaspora. Click on the official website here. Members of the Mundus maris Association and people associated with it are actively participating. Among them is Nduwhite Ahononu Ndubuisi from Nigeria.

This poster exhibition was created in the occasion of commemorations of and reflections on the Bicenternary of Latin American independencies in order to add another dimension to the many events in this occasion, which are often focused on political and historical developments. It spans an arch from Darwin's inquisitive and open-minded spirit as he applied it to fishes and the marine environment in Latin America to what subsequent generations of scientists are making available to a wide public and artistic ways of reflecting on the sea.

The International Initiative 'Science, Arts and Sustainable Seas' was offered the opportunity for an exhibition 'Sustainable Seas Through the Eyes of Art' associated with the V MARE Conference 'Living with uncertainty and adapting to change' in Amsterdam, 9-11 July 2009. The venue of the exhibition is the historic university building, Oudemanhuispoort 4-6, 1012 DL Amsterdam.

Scientists study the oceans in different ways from artists, but may be as passionate about the seas. Curiosity and practical needs have induced study of the seas and their creatures since antiquity.

More recently, as a result of a public invitation on facebook to suggest questions, we've been asking several scientists what they consider the greatest threats to the oceans and what they suggest to do about them.

The resulting video interviews, TED talks of leading scientists fascinated by the oceans and more are here for you to discover.

This category contains reviews of exhibitions of a scientific, artistic or mixed natures related to sustainable seas, nature and people of the sea.

This categories contains reviews of films related to science, arts or mixed themes touching on the seas and people of the sea.

This category contains book and music reviews pertaining to science, arts, culture, history or mixed content related to the seas or the people of the sea. More technical and science book presentations and reviews are in the section publications.

Ecuador - as the name suggests - sits on the equator line of the Pacific coast of South America. The coast of its mainland territory straddles the northern boundaries of the cold Humboldt Current reaching up towards the south of the country, while most of its coastal ecosystems are tropical and sub-tropical. The Galapagos Islands, a group of volcanic islands grouped around the equator, also belong to Ecuador. The islands are a Unesco World Heritage site and a unique marine and terrestrial environment hosting many endemic species with roots to forebears on the continent that is some 972 km away to the east.

The northern part of the coast on the mainland is a relatively sparsely populated part of the country with modest communication infrastructure. One of the traditional activities in the small villages distributed along the coast was fishing. The increasing urbanisation, efforts to develop the coastline for tourism and overfishing mostly by bigger boats operating out of larger ports now poses some serious risks to the integrity of the coastal ecosystems - both on land and in the ocean.

Mundus maris, in collaboration with the Fundación Santiago de Guayaquil, is supporting awareness creation and activities for nature protection and recognition of rights of coastal communities.

The Gambia is undergoing rapid urbanisation in the coastal parts radiating out from Banjul and Serrekunda. Further inland and nearer the southern and northern borders to Senegal rural conditions persist.

Five schools participated in pilot activities to test how best to introduce ecosystem approach to fisheries into the syllabus, promoting an integrated understanding that covers environmental, social, economic and science aspects of using the sea in sustainable ways. They are respectively, three from Gunjur, one from Tanji and one from Serrekunda. The pilot activities were part of commissioned work by the EAF Nansen Project of the FAO.

Supporting the teachers, the equipment of schools, parent associations and networking among schools are priorities to create a stronger enabling environment for the kids. They much deserve additional opportunities to live up more fully to their potential.

The Working Group Science and Arts for Sustainability of the Helmholtz-Gymnasium Hilden (HGH) has been setting the tone for collaboration with Mundus marisin Germany. This collaboration started in earnest with their successful participation in the Amsterdam exhibition 'Sustainable Seas Through the Eyes of Art' and continued with exhibitions in Brussels and at home.

Since 2009, Ansgar Beer, the couch of the working group and founding member of Mundus maris, has been elected Responsible Teacher for Sustainability at the school... with interesting results as can be seen from the graphical encouragement for healthy food and much more. Read on in the section about the HGH.

Other schools are, obviously welcome to join as well.

Encouraged by Stella Williams, founding member of Mundus maris asbl, a group of scientists and social workers started engaging and developing a work programme to increase activities in the Niger Delta and connect more strongly with forthcoming exhibitions and other events of the Initiative in an attempt to foster non-violent options for young people to shape their lives.

The mid-term goal is to set up a resource centre where young (and not so young) people can get information, learn new skills, including computer skills and network. The Oloibiri Resource Centre takes its name from the place, where oil was first discovered in the Niger Delta in 1958, now synonymous with pollution and often violence. It should become a beacon of hope, learning, solidarity, and constructive activities for a better future. To make this happen, Mundus maris is contributing some equipment, books and other support, but the lion's share is the energy and dedication of local associates of the Initiative and their ability to extend the network of solidarity.

On the road to setting up the centre and participating ever more actively in Mundus maris activities, an exhibition has taken place in late October 2010 to engage more young people and to select the best works for display in the international exhibition in Hilden, Germany, as part of several events organised by Mundus maris.

For financial support for setting up the Oloibiri Resource Centre for sustainable seas and cultural diversity, and for helping to fund its activities, make your financial contribution to
Special account Mundus maris, please mention 'Oloibiri Resource Centre':

Russian schools have a reputation of delivering strong education, particularly in the natural sciences. Language barriers have not facilitated much cooperation with other countries.

In the context of UNESCO's Baltic Sea Project, some form of cooperation has, however, been going on for more than 20 years involving schools from all riparian countries. 

Collaboration with schools in Senegal is going on with ups and downs since 2008. Many young people and even more so their elders are torn between somewhat more traditional modes of living and having to adjust to new conditions, particularly as a result of advanced erosion of nature's wealth from overfishing in the sea and overuse or lack of fertile soils and water on land. Many communities have witnessed loss of income and wellbeing over the years and young people with modest access to education face particular difficulties in building a prosperous and secure future for themselves.

Those not able to make ends meet may be pushed into clandestine emigration in search of a better future in Europe or elsewhere. Many risked a hazardous journey on a pirogue in the direction of Las Palmas or other places but did not reach their destinations, nor did they come back.

Connecting to other young people in Europe and elsewhere and building a network of solidarity that allows them to improve their lot is one of the ambitions of the youth of the CEM Cayar and others.