Kaufman Calls on North American Aquariums to Refocus on Conservation in the Wild

Les Kaufman, a Professor of Biology and a Faculty Research Fellow at the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, recently took part in the annual Regional Aquatic Workshop (RAW), hosted by the New England Aquarium (NEAq). The week-long workshop featured representatives from many of North America’s professional aquariums, in addition to vendors from industry and technology who support these institutions.

Prof. Kaufman organized a plenary panel, in collaboration with colleagues from NEAq’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, to examine global priorities for aquatic conservation. The panel illuminated pathways to more effective conservation of aquatic habitats and species by drawing upon three case studies: sharks and rays (Hap Fatzinger, Director, North Carolina Aquariums), coral reefs (Joe Yaiullo, Long Island Aquarium), and tropical freshwaters (Mike O’Neill, NEAq, and a member of Kaufman’s team studying fish biodiversity in Lake Victoria). Prof. Kaufman framed and concluded the panel, while the other three speakers gave accounts of conservation successes achieved through regional cooperation and among the global aquarium and NGO communities.

Click here to read more about RAW.