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Distinguished Speaker Series: Laura Frank
September 6, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & Refreshments available for purchase at event.
Distinguished Speaker: Laura Frank
Description:
This talk will look beyond marine protected areas and conservation to explore the concepts of wholistic sustainable ocean management. There are many human uses of the ocean that need to be balanced with environmental health, and we will discuss the concept and importance of using Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to achieve this balance. We will dive into examples from the pacific island nation of Tonga who are leaders in regional efforts toward protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and developing their blue economy through their MSP program.
Wednesday, September 6
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Doors open at 5:30 pm, and talk begins at 6:00 pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)
About Laura Frank:
Laura is the Assistant Director and Tonga Program Lead at the Waitt Institute based in La Jolla, CA. She supports Tonga’s efforts to conserve 30% of their ocean space and sustainably manage their EEZ through Marine Spatial Planning. She provides core support to the Institute whose work engages governments and NGO’s around the world. Laura was previously a researcher in the Genetics, Aquaculture, and Physiology group at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and a California Sea Grant State Fellow at the Unified Port of San Diego where she supported several environmental conservation, blue economy, and mitigation banking projects. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communication: Advertising and Public Relations from Emerson College and a Master of Science in Marine Science from the University of San Diego where she focused on applied physiology research for yellowtail aquaculture.
