dedicated event
SCAR Mini-Symposium
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The plenary Mini-Symposium “From Science-to-Policy: Climate-smart Marine Spatial Planning in the Southern Ocean” took place at the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, Norway. The conference was held from August 8 to 19, 2026, and was attended by over 1,400 participants from more than 50 countries. Developed under project PLAnT, the event brought together key Antarctic stakeholders, with different roles and perspectives, to discuss how Antarctic spatial management, protection, and governance could be improved amid increasing human pressure and a rapidly changing climate, and how climate-smart marine spatial planning could help address identified problems. Led by the project PI together with members of PLAnT's Advisory Board (José Xavier, Renuka Badhe, Cassandra Brooks, Kevin Hughes and Susie Grant), the event highlighted the importance of taking a holistic approach to spatial management and protection in Antarctica. Over 90 minutes, it engaged the SCAR scientific community on an emerging scientific topic with direct policy relevance across the Antarctic Treaty System, and aimed to support further scientific collaborations and policy recommendations. SCAR Mini-Symposia are dedicated, interactive interdisciplinary events that highlight the timeliest and most cutting-edge topics proposed by the SCAR community. 🌊 Speakers: Assoc. Prof. Catarina Frazão Santos (University of Lisbon, PI of project PLAnT). Dr César Cárdenas (Instituto Antártico Chileno, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources). Birgit Njåstad (Norwegian Polar Institute, former Chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection, member of the Norwegian delegation to the Antarctic Treaty). Dr Kevin Hughes (British Antarctic Survey, former Vice-Chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection, member of the UK delegation to the Antarctic Treaty). Assoc. Prof. Cassandra Brooks (University of Colorado Boulder, Chief Officer of SCAR’s Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System). Mary Liesegang (Program Manager at the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition). Dr Javier Arata (Executive Officer of the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies). Dr Tegan Carpenter-Kling (Nelson Mandela University, Research Associate working in PHOCIS-Pelagic High Seas Ocean Ecoregionalisation of the Indian Subantarctic project). Dr Maureen Lynch (Science and Monitoring Senior Manager for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). ❄️ Moderators: Dr Renuka Badhe (Secretary General of the European Global Ocean Observing System, former Executive Officer at SCAR, former Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board). Assoc. Prof. José Xavier (University of Coimbra, Honorary Fellow of the British Antarctic Survey, head of the Portuguese delegation to the Antarctic Treaty). At the end of the Mini-Symposium, the PI shared the launch of the new Antarctic Participatory Mapping initiative, developed under PLAnT, with the Antarctic research community. The full symposium recording is now available on SCAR's YouTube channel (starting at minute 52:47) 🎥 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy1KKAzJwLU&list=PLFv8bckblDGM&index=4 |
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WATCH THE videoWatch the full Mini-Symposium
here (starting at minute 52:47). All other plenary sessions are also available. 
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