Finding an effective interface between science, conservation, management, and policy: A case study from the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science programme

In a rapidly changing world, scientists are increasingly facing the challenges of how to ensure the effective and efficient uptake of science into conservation, management, and policy. Using examples from the Bertarelli Foundation’s Indian Ocean marine science progamme, that involves 96 scientists from 22 institutions and 11 countries, this presentation will explore some of the approaches that have been implemented through this programme. This ranges from gaining new conservation insights from enabling collaborations across scientific disciplines, to addressing regional inequities in marine science through increasing opportunities for early career researchers from the Indian Ocean region. We will present examples of how transdisciplinary collaborations have changed our understanding of the ocean, such as the importance of seabird nutrient transfer in coral reef health, the oceanographic drivers of ocean predator distribution and coral reef connectivity, and the application of social science to understand and address the drivers of illegal fishing. In addition, we will explore different ways to increase the uptake and use of science, such as integrating the programme into the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Finally, we will share experiences of trialling different approaches to communicating science to new audiences for conservation, including training regional journalists and engaging with other sectors, particularly art, design, and technology.