I am very pleased to share my latest publication on advancing social equity in and through marine conservation on behalf of my co-authors. While this paper is not specific to marine mammal research, it is certainly something that should be considered when planning and implementing marine mammal research across the world. In summary, we have to move away from simply thinking about WHAT, HOW MUCH and WHERE to protect, but also how best to protect and who should be included in the process. Bennett N.J., Katz L., Yadao-Evans W., Ahmadia G.N., Atkinson S., Ban N.C., Dawson N.M., de Vos A., Fitzpatrick J., Gill D., Imirizaldu M., Lewis N., Mangubhai S., Meth L., Muhl E.-K., Obura D., Spalding A.K., Villagomez A., Wagner D., White A. and Wilhelm A. (2021) Advancing Social Equity in and Through Marine Conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.711538/full Abstract: Substantial efforts and investments are being made to increase the scale and improve the effectiveness of marine conservation globally. Though it is mandated by international law and central to conservation policy, less attention has been given to how to operationalize social equity in and through the pursuit of marine conservation. In this article, we aim to bring greater attention to this topic through reviewing how social equity can be better integrated in marine conservation policy and practice. Advancing social equity in marine conservation requires directing attention to: recognition through acknowledgment and respect for diverse peoples and perspectives; fair distribution of impacts through maximizing benefits and minimizing burdens; procedures through fostering participation in decision-making and good governance; management through championing and supporting local involvement and leadership; the environment through ensuring the efficacy of conservation actions and adequacy of management to ensure benefits to nature and people; and the structural barriers to and institutional roots of inequity in conservation. We then discuss the role of various conservation organizations in advancing social equity in marine conservation and identify the capacities these organizations need to build. We urge the marine conservation community, including governments, non-governmental organizations and donors, to commit to the pursuit of socially equitable conservation. Thank you Asha

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Asha de Vos Ph.D. Pew | TED Fellow National Geographic Explorer WEF Young Global Leader Maxwell-Hanrahan Award in Field Biology 2020 Scubadiving magazine Sea Hero of the Year 2020