Session Chairs: Aimee David, Monterey Bay Aquarium/Aquarium Conservation Partnership; Kim McIntyre, Aquarium Conservation Partnership
This session will focus on the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP)’s consumer campaign raise public awareness and increase consumer demand for alternatives to single-use plastic, what aquariums are doing to promote science-based policies to reduce sources of aquatic plastic pollution, and how aquariums are working with business partners to model change in our aquariums and accelerate innovation in the broader marketplace.
The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration of aquariums formed to increase our collective impact on ocean and freshwater conservation. Together, member aquariums work to advance science-based conservation goals by leveraging our unique assets, including our scientific expertise, our visibility with the public, our business relationships, and our credibility with decision makers. The primary goal for 2016-17 is to work together to reduce the sources of ocean and freshwater plastic pollution through a mix of consumer, business, and policy strategies.
The ACP also serves as a “strategic table” for aquariums to take coordinated action on other conservation policy goals, including: increasing ocean and freshwater ecosystem protection; protecting threatened global shark and ray species; and improving the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture.
This session will focus on the ACP’s consumer campaign raise public awareness and increase consumer demand for alternatives to single-use plastic, what aquariums are doing to promote science-based policies to reduce sources of aquatic plastic pollution, and how aquariums are working with business partners to model change in our aquariums and accelerate innovation in the broader marketplace.
PANEL:
- – Aimee David, Monetery Bay Aquarium
- – Stephanie Mathias, National Aquarium
- – Nicole Minadeo, Shedd Aquarium
- – Noah Chesnin, Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium
Abstracts
Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Plastic Pollution Initiative
Authors: Kim McIntyre (Strategic Ocean Solutions , United States), Stephanie Mathias (National Aquarium), Nicole Minadeo (John G. Shedd Aquarium), Noah Chesnin (Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium); Aimee David (monterey Bay Aquarium, United States)
Panel Overview:
The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a collaboration of AZA-accredited public aquariums across North America committed to advancing conservation and advocacy of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. Together, member aquariums work to advance science-based conservation goals by leveraging our unique assets, including our scientific expertise, our visibility with the public, our business relationships, and our credibility with decision makers.
The session will focus on ACP’s strategies including its consumer campaign to reduce demand for single-use plastic, what aquariums are doing to help influence and change policy, and what it takes to make a commitment to reducing single-use plastic in our retail and food service operations.
Speaker 1/Moderator: Aimee David, Director of Ocean Conservation Policy and Initiatives, Monterey Bay Aquarium Aquarium Conservation Partnership Overview
Speaker 2: Stephanie Mathias, Conservation Technician, National Aquarium Marrying Mission with Operations – The Quest to Eliminate/Reduce Single Use Plastics
Speaker 3: Nicole Minadeo, Director, Communications and Public Relations, John G. Shedd Aquarium “In Our Hands” Campaign
Speaker 4: Noah Chesnin, Policy Program Manager, Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium The Role of Aquariums in Influencing Policy