WASHINGTON DC (23 Mar 2001) -- An Italian biologist investigating the cause of mysterious dolphin deaths in the Mediterranean, an American fisheries extension specialist determined to protect the environment from the dangers of genetically modified marine organisms, and a Russian lawyer challenging oil and gas development threatening biodiversity in the Caspian Sea are among ten ocean champions selected as 2001 Pew Marine Conservation Fellows. This year's winners have been chosen from Canada, Italy, Spain, Russia, the Philippines, and the United States to receive the prestigious fellowships--the world's only prize dedicated to marine conservation. The recipients have been awarded $150,000 each to undertake pioneering projects to preserve the oceans. The 2001 Marine Conservation Fellows are: ALEX AGUILAR, Ph.D., Professor of Animal Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain Establishing a genetic and ecotoxicological tissue bank of endangered marine mammals in the Mediterranean. GIOVANNI BEARZI, Dr. BioSc., President, Tethys Research Institute, Italy Investigating causes for the disappearance of common and bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean. ANTHONY T. CHARLES, Ph.D., Professor, Management & Environmental Science, Saint Mary's University, Canada Coordinating consensus efforts to boost capacity for sustainable community-oriented fishing in Atlantic Canada. FELICIA C. COLEMAN, Ph.D., Research Associate, Florida State University, USA Developing improved science-based management models for marine reserves to protect grouper species. EDGARDO D. GOMEZ, Ph.D., Professor of Marine Science, University of the Philippines, Philippines Demonstrating coral reef restoration practices in the Philippines to increase reef productivity and biodiversity. | | ANNE R. KAPUSCINSKI, Ph.D., Professor and Fisheries Extension Specialist, University of Minnesota, USA Implementing a precautionary approach to U.S. governance of genetically modified marine organisms. JESSICA C. LANDMAN, J.D., Consulting Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, USA Advocating for stringent pollution limits to protect fragile Florida coastal waters from toxic industrial effluent. VERA L. MISCHENKO, J.D., Ph.D., President, Ecojuris Institute of Environmental Law, Russia Promoting Russian citizen participation to challenge oil and gas development threatening biodiversity in the Caspian and Black Seas. CARL J. WALTERS, Ph.D., Professor, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Canada Testing multi-species models for experimental management of ecosystem-scale fisheries harvest policies. ALAN T. WHITE, Ph.D., Deputy Chief of Party and Director, Coastal Resource Management Project, Tetra Tech EM Inc., Philippines Creating a certification system and economic valuation framework for Philippine coral reef protected areas. The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation is an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts operated in partnership with the New England Aquarium. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
