TIME | 9 December 2008, 4pm onwards
LOCATION | CSAFE Seminar Room, , Dunedin
SPEAKER | Chris Hepburn
Our research aims to provide ecological information on a reef-by-reef basis that is most relevant to the management of fisheries within coastal taiapure and mataitai. We work in the East Otago Taiapure (north of Dunedin), Waikoau Mataitai (near Nugget Point, South Otago), and Koukourarata Mataitai (Port Levy, Banks Peninsula) in close consultation with the local community within Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai research group. Community support in each of these regions has provided excellent opportunities for many researchers and this project has directly supported at least ten postgraduate students since 2009. This seminar will outline the range of research projects that are taking place in mataitai and taiapure locally and in particular our work on paua fisheries. Paua are the key kai species at each of these sites and baseline surveys and growth information are giving local communities data that is critical for their effective management of paua stocks in their area. Identifying problems at a reef-by-reef scale through surveys has allowed managers of taiapure and mataitai to apply for regulations and bylaws to help conserve their fisheries. This information is also supporting initiatives such as community-led paua reseeding programs.
Chris’ work focuses on subtidal temperate reefs, in particular kelp forest ecosystems, and has a strong field-based component. He works closely with managers of taiapure and mataitai to provide science that supports fisheries management decisions and plans.
This seminar is part of Te Tiaki Mahinga kai’s Te Hao Matauranga series (www.mahingakai.org.nz).
OPEN AND FREE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES
Thursday 9 October 2008, 4pm onwards
Seminar Room, Centre for Innovation, 87 St. David St
Andrew McGregor
At the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Convention in Bali there was debate over the viability of a mechanism to prevent further carbon emissions from deforestation. The REDD proposal, referring to Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, intends to reward governments who avoid deforestation by allowing them to sell carbon credits based on estimates of how much deforestation they have prevented. Indonesia, a country which Greenpeace claims to have the highest rate of deforestation in the world, has much to gain from this initiative however it has ignited a wave of debate amongst forest protection activists that highlight the differences between Western and Indonesian environmental movements. This paper reflects on these debates by reporting on a recent trip to Aceh in Indonesia where a green governor, who happens to be a former independence fighter and elephant vet, has propelled the province to the forefront of REDD implementation. Two ecosystems have been identified for REDD accreditation, each being run by different institutions with very different views on community involvement in forest conservation. In discussing the new geographies associated with these proposals I explore the new international networks and alliances that are forming, the new places and spaces that are being created, shifting values and human / nature relationships, and the politics of enforcement, inclusion and exclusion.
Andrew McGregor is a Senior Lecturer in the Geography Department at the University of Otago. He has researched widely in Southeast Asia and has recently published a book entitled Southeast Asian Development through Routledge. He is active in the development community being a former Chair and current member of the Steering Committee for the Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Network (Devnet), co-editor of Asia-Pacific Viewpoint and a former UNICEF Australia project officer. He also likes forests.