GLOBAL PENGUIN SOCIETY: THE PENGUIN ADVOCACY FOR THE OCEANS

GARCÍA BORBOROGLU, PABLO; BOERSMA, DEE; REYES, LAURA; CONWAY, WILLIAM; LEIDEN, TOM; HOFFMANN, LUC; ELLIS, SUSAN; BENNET, ELIZABETH

Boston, Massachusets, Estados Unidos

Congreso; VIII International Penguin Conference; 2010

New England Aquarium

The fragile conservation status of most penguin populations mirrors the Southern Oceans condition and the world’s oceans problems. Variations in ecosystem structure and processes, caused mainly by climate change, pollution, and fisheries mismanagement impoverish living systems. Penguins are impacted by these alterations: 60% of penguin species are considered vulnerable or endangered (IUCN). Penguins can serve as cost-effective indicators of the health of the oceans, providing insight into the magnitude and location of marine conservation needs. As charismatic, seascape species, penguins can increase awareness of ocean health, causing reconsideration of policies and behaviors harming penguins. Penguin also can foster public and political support for integrated ocean conservation. The Global Penguin Society, a new international, science-based conservation coalition, is dedicated to the survival and protection of the world´s penguin species. GPS has three inter-related components: science, management and education. GPS seeks to integrate synergistically research and conservation groups, speeding penguin and ocean conservation efforts. The coalition supports science needed for the conservation and adequate management of penguins and marine environments at local and global scales. GPS helps assessing the status of penguin populations, educating and advising governments and communities, linking people to policy, promoting and helping consolidate marine conservation initiatives, and campaigning through the media to make a change for ocean conservation for and through the penguins.