The Blue Nature Alliance’s Science & Knowledge (ASK) team is proud to share a call for submissions to a special issue of Frontiers in Marine Science, entitled Ocean Sustainability Science and Marine Protected Areas. The research topic aims to bring together a wide breadth of submissions that will help to advance and grow the field of MPA science, including contributions that feature work at the feature work at the nexus of ocean science, social science, and MPAs, including those that address physical, biogeochemical, and ecological changes in MPAs; assess MPA impacts on biodiversity and human coastal communities; address climate change adaptation; or develop climate-sensitive protocols to optimize conservation areas. 

The special issue, which was launched at the 2024 Ocean Science Meeting, will be accepting manuscripts through September 17, 2024. If you have questions regarding the special issue or would like to request an extended deadline for submissions, please contact the Blue Nature Alliance’s science lead, Randi Rotjan (rrotjan@bu.edu) . 

About the project

The Blue Nature Alliance, a global partnership to catalyze the conservation of 18 million square kilometers of ocean area, collaborates with governments, NGOs, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and scientists worldwide to catalyze the creation, expansion, and improvement of ocean conservation areas. To date, the project is proud to support the work of more than 60 partners in 38 global engagements who are collectively working toward conserving more than 18 million square kilometers of ocean. From Colombia to Ireland, to Tristan de Cunha in the Atlantic, to Africa’s Western Indian Ocean region, these marine champions are working to sustainably, equitably, and effectively manage the ocean for the benefit of people and nature. 

For more information, please contact Madeline Beattie [mbeattie@conservation.org] or visit the project website