Congratulations to SMEA Professor Eddie Allison, Research Associate Nathan Bennett, Affiliate Assistant Professor Yoshitaka Ota and their co-authors on their latest article “Committing to socially responsible seafood” published in Science. The article discusses a comprehensive framework for social responsibility developed by the authors that responds to a need for alignment around a shared, transdisciplinary approach. Their framework, which is informed by practical experience from organizations and experts that work in the seafood sector and is supported by a strong legal and policy basis for implementation, comprises three components: (i) protecting human rights and dignity and respecting access to resources, (ii) ensuring equality and equitable opportunities to benefit, and (iii) improving food and livelihood security. 

SMEA alumnus Max Mossler (’16) recently published his thesis work in Global Environmental Change, along with co-authors Ann Bostrom, Kate Crosman, Patricia Moy, and SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly. The paper entitled “How does framing affect policy support for emissions mitigation? Testing the effects of ocean acidification and other carbon emissions frames” advances research on ocean acidification and climate change perceptions and communication, by (i) examining causal beliefs about ocean acidification, and (ii) measuring support for mitigation policies from individuals presented with one of five different policy frames (climate change, global warming, carbon pollution, air pollution, and ocean acidification). 

Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?
I fell in love with the sea the first time I saw one at the age of 5. Naturally, I was inclined to study marine sciences, swim with the dolphins, and save the animals. Eventually, I pursued a bachelors in biology and grew old enough to realize the marine environment is composed of more than animals and ecosystems. 

Research Associate Stacia Dreyer, SMEA Alum Hilary Polis, and former SMEA Professor Lekelia Jenkins recently published an article about tidal energy in Energy Research and Social Science. In the article, they assess acceptability and support for tidal energy, as well as perceived benefits and risks of tidal energy and climate change beliefs in Washington State. They also highlight how environmental psychology can contribute to a larger body of literature on life-cycle development for emergent renewable energy technologies. 

By Maggie Allen
The Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is a unique, unparalleled experience for SMEA graduates. The exciting year began for me in December 2016 during Placement Week, which consisted of 12-15 interviews in 3 days and 4 networking happy hours across D.C. Although it was probably one of the most hectic weeks in my life, it was also extremely invaluable. 

Congratulations to SMEA first year Kanae Komaki, who was accepted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to do a policy internship this summer in Kingston, Jamaica!
The ISA is an international organization under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to manage seabed and subsoil in the high seas and the areas beyond the continental shelf. During her internship, Kanae will be working with the ISA’s Secretariat (Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, and Office of Legal Affairs) during the ISA’s Legal & Technical Commission Meeting and the 23rd General Assembly.  

A group of practitioners and researchers, led by SMEA Research Associate Nathan Bennett with support from SMEA Affiliate Assistant Professor Yoshitaka Ota and Professor Patrick Christie, has called for a marine conservation code of conduct. The recommendations were published May 15 in the journal Marine Policy. The authors of the paper cite a number of social justice, accountability and decision-making principles that could be used for a marine conservation code of conduct. 

SMEA graduate student Jessica Hernandez was recently featured on the UW’s Race & Equity Initiative blog. The piece titled New Course Shines Light on Environmental (In)Justice highlighted a course Hernandez developed along with Isabel Carrera, another masters student in the College of the Environment. The class “Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse” was offered winter quarter and examined environmental injustice from the point of view of decolonization, exploring the perspectives of the people and communities most affected by environmental practices, policies and hazards.  

SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly, along with co-authors Phillip Levin and Kai Lee’s law review paper titled “Science, Policy, and Data-Driven Decisions in a Data Vacuum” was recently published in Ecology Law Quarterly. The paper looks at the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) decisions surrounding three species of rockfish in Puget Sound, deciding whether or not they should be listed as endangered/threatened.  

Assistant Professor Ryan Kelly was interviewed by Generation Anthropocene about his work with environmental DNA and how it continues to help us understand the makeup of our oceans. Listen to the podcast at the link below.
https://www.genanthro.com/2017/05/04/interview-ryan-kelly/