“Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity.” The Republic of Palau hosted the 7th Our Ocean Conference from April 13-14, 2022. The conference, which drew on Palau’s rich tradition as an ocean society and focused on islander perspectives and approaches to ensuring the health of our ocean, was a key moment for governments, civil society, and industry to commit to concrete and significant actions to protect the ocean.
Our Ocean focused on six Areas of Action to center traditional ocean conservation and amplify decisive and collective action: Advancing Marine Protected Areas for Communities, Ecosystems, and Climate; Tackling Marine Pollution; Confronting the Ocean-Climate Crisis or Towards an Ocean Solution for Climate Change; Creating Sustainable Blue Economies; Advancing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Achieving a Safe, Just and Secure Ocean.
Blue Food at Our Ocean
Global demand for blue food is expected to double by 2050, yet blue food is often ignored in decision-making. Like for all food systems, growing demand poses both opportunities and challenges. We need thoughtful investments and policies to foster a thriving, regenerative blue food sector. The Our Ocean Conference in Palau presented an opportunity to strengthen blue food commitments and highlight how blue food can contribute across the six Areas of Action.
Q&A | Blue food traditions, communities and culture in the Pacific
Ann Singeo and Caroline Ferguson, researchers of marine resource management and sustainable food systems, discuss their collaborative research on food systems in Palau and the Pacific.
Plenary Session | Advancing Sustainable Fisheries
13 April 2022 | 10:40-11:55AM PWT
Blue Food Assessment team members Fiorenza Micheli and Shakuntala Thilsted joined other leaders to discuss the role of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in sustainable fisheries management.
Side Event | Blue Foods: Crucial Component to a Climate-Resilient Blue Economy in Global Communities
13 April 2022 | 5:20-6:20PM PWT
Pacific leaders, governments and others joined forces to integrate blue foods into decision-making and policies that
can sustain a growing population in a changing climate and contribute to a thriving blue economy and resilient
communities.
Booth | Building Blue Food Futures for People and the Planet
An on-site exhibition booth highlighted scientific research from the Blue Food Assessment, global collaboration through the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition and regional action through the Pacific Community (SPC).
Visit the official Our Ocean Palau 2022 website >
Read our Brief for Transformation >
Read more about the Our Ocean Conference on the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions website >
Read coverage from Pacific Island Times of the Our Ocean Conference here >