Tuesday, September 28, 2010

MISSION BLUE - I AM THE OCEAN -



With every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, we're connected to the ocean. It is our life support system. Mission Blue is a global partnership initiative to raise public awareness and move people to help protect this vital natural resource.

People have the ability to make history and create positive change. Show your support and join us today.  Sign up for emails at the following link.
 
I Am the Ocean

Mission Blue overview


The National Geographic Society, the Waitt Foundation, and the SEAlliance, along with strategic government, private, scientific, and conservation partners—including the TEDPrize, Google, and IUCN—are beginning an action-oriented marine conservation initiative. Under the banner “Mission Blue,” this multi-year, global partnership initiative is aimed at restoring health and productivity to the ocean by inspiring people to care and act, reducing the impact of fishing, and promoting the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs).

Slideshow from International Coastal Cleanup Day

Check out the slideshow below from this past weekend's effort at the Black Eagle Marina and Playa Marias. This was a third cleanup since we began the Marina Restoration Project. To date we have installed 6 trash barrels, planted 20 plants, and removed over 800 pounds of debris!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Profunda investigación en el mar

Profunda investigación en el mar
Por Marta Yazmín García Nieves
prensa@uprm.edu
PRENSA RUM

Un proyecto que comenzó hace más de cuatro años con ambiciosas expectativas y numerosos retos, representa hoy una de las más importantes aportaciones al estudio de los arrecifes de coral caribeños. La iniciativa, que protagonizan estudiantes y profesores del Departamento de Ciencias Marinas (CIMA) del Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez (RUM), conllevó un ciclo de adiestramientos sobre buceo profundo, con el fin de preparar investigadores para el estudio de la comunidad de peces y arrecifes conocidos como mesofóticos.

La iniciativa, que cuenta con un total de diecisiete colaboradores, reafirma el sitial de vanguardia del RUM en términos de investigación porque se trata de una gestión de concienciación ambiental significativa que impacta positivamente a toda la comunidad, opinó el doctor Francisco Pagán López, director del Programa del Instituto de Arrecifes de Coral del Caribe (CCRI, por sus siglas en inglés) con sede en las instalaciones de Ciencias Marinas en la isla Magueyes en La Parguera.

 Haga clic aqui para leer mas. 

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Installation of our 19th and 20th Trash Can in Rincon

Last Saturday, a crew of 10 activists with the local chapter of Surfrider Foundation Rincon, cleaned up Playa Marias, and installed 2 new trash barrels at Playa Stella. Over a year ago the chapter began the Playa Marias Restoration Project and much to our delight it has been a success. All of the plants that we planted there, courtesy of DRNA, have begun to establish themselves.

Likewise, we are very delighted to have just installed our 19th and 20th trash barrel in past 10 months. We aspire to install 20 more by next year. The chapter would like to thank 787 Surf School and Guest Villa for donating time and money to this effort as well as all the activists that helped make it happen.

Roger Galloza getting ready to set a post at Playa Stella last weekend.  


The crew that made it happen.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Position Open - Coral Reef and Coastal Program Specialist – Management Liaison

New IMSG Position in San Juan, Puerto Rico: Coral Reef and Coastal Program Specialist – Management Liaison

I.M. Systems Group, Inc. (IMSG, http://www.imsg.com) is seeking a Coral Reef and Coastal Zone Program Specialist to serve as a Management Liaison to Puerto Rico for the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The position will be located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

OCRM houses the headquarters of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP, www.coralreef.noaa.gov) and Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP, www.coastalmanagement.noaa.gov). The incumbent will serve as the primary liaison between these two national programs and the coral reef conservation and coastal zone management programs in Puerto Rico. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting activities under both programs, including the oversight of NOAA’s CRCP and CZM grants to Puerto Rico, thus ensuring that projects funded by each national program complement each other within Puerto Rico. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical assistance in a relevant field, such as marine protected area design and/or management, watershed management, social science research and monitoring, or communications and outreach. Frequent travel within Puerto Rico is required, and several annual trips to other locations, including NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, are expected.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The contractor’s duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

* Serving as the primary liaison between the national CRCP and CZMP and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico programs
* Communicate national policies and guidance from NOAA to Puerto Rico
* Communicate Puerto Rico coral reef and coastal zone management program needs and priorities to NOAA headquarters and other program components
* Assist the Puerto Rico coral program with the CRCP’s ongoing capacity assessment
* Act as the NOAA Liaison for the development, review, on-line processing, and monitoring of Coral Reef Management and Coastal Zone Management grants
* Support development and implementation of 309 Enhancement Grant Assessment and Strategies, review and approve changes to CZM programs; and assist in periodic evaluations of CZM programs.
* Support CRCP and CZM strategic planning efforts, including identifying priority topics and geographic areas, developing program and project performance measures, and evaluation of historic, current, and potential future CRCP and CZMP projects
* Advise senior CRCP and CZMP leadership on endeavors, projects, and partnerships that would be of benefit in Puerto Rico
* Assist with the implementation and integration of select Puerto Rico coral reef and coastal zone management projects
* Build partnerships with governmental, non-governmental, academic, and community organizations toward shared conservation goals
* Assist in the development and coordination of a Puerto Rico coral reef advisory group
* Providing Puerto Rico, and, where appropriate, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, programs with specialized technical and management assistance in various topical areas related to coral reef and coastal zone management such as Marine protected area design or management; Watershed management or land-based sources of pollution abatement; Social science research or monitoring; Communications and outreach; Coral reef or coastal zone governance, law, or policy; Project management; Capacity building and Adaption to the effects of climate change on coral and other marine resources
* Participating on behalf of the CRCP, CZMP, or OCRM on internal NOAA and external working groups, councils, and committees
* Supporting general activities for the relevant Divisions and Office to which this position will report

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements:

* Fluency in oral and written English and Spanish, and strong communication skills
* Master’s degree (highly preferred) or bachelor’s degree with equivalent additional experience in a relevant discipline such as marine science, biology, marine or environmental management or policy
* 2 or more years post-graduate work experience in a coral reef-related or integrated CZM management position
* 2 or more years of experience working on or with small island states, preferably in Puerto Rico or other Caribbean islands
* Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the technical fields listed in the job responsibilities section of this announcement
* Understanding of coral reef ecosystems, their threats, strategies for their conservation, and coastal management issues
* Ability to work independently and cooperatively with a range of individuals that are geographically separated and that represent a range of different cultures
* Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and to shift priorities as needed
* Experience coordinating efforts and projects with multiple partners
* Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office programs

Strongly Desired:

* 4 or more years post-graduate work experience in coral reef-related scientific or management positions
* 2 to 3 years of program development and project planning experience
* Experience developing, negotiating, and managing individual grants (as the grant recipient) and/or administering grant programs (as the grantor)
* Experience working in a matrix organization and/or ability working in team settings
* Experience working on multi-lateral, regional, or international environmental initiatives
* Experience in a governmental work environment

To Apply:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The salary for this position is commensurate with experience. Qualified candidates may apply by e-mailing a cover letter, resume, and three references (MS Word format strongly preferred) to: jobs@imsg.com with the subject heading: NOA10041 – Puerto Rico Management Liaison. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter. The salary range for this position is 55-65k.

IMSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Veteran friendly.