Ongoing Activities
There are many Ross Sea MPA related research endeavors underway, including:
Ross Sea Research Coordination Network: To support research and monitoring in the Ross Sea region MPA (RSRMPA), we are building a “Research Coordination Network” consisting of three key components: (i) policy engagement, (ii) community partner engagement, and (iii) integrated science comprising three themes: data science and cyberinfrastructure, biophysical modeling, and observations that include monitoring and process studies. We envision the Research Coordination Network as an example of how to bring together diverse interdisciplinary participants towards an effective, integrated science-policy collaboration. See Brooks & Stammerjohn et al. (2024) describing the network. We currently have a Research Coordination Network proposal under review with the United States National Science Foundation.
Big Blue Cloud: Empowering Data Science for the RSRMPA: The Big Blue Cloud, developed by Ocean Motion Technologies, is a cloud-based data science open platform designed to support the research and management needs of big ocean data. Leveraging cutting-edge data integration and analysis capabilities, the platform aims to facilitate informed decision-making, enhance conservation strategies, and foster international collaboration. A newly funded NASA project led by Jack Pan will apply the Big Blue Cloud to meet the research and monitoring requirements for the RSRMPA. The Big Blue Cloud will provide a robust data science open platform where researchers, community partners, and decision-makers can conveniently study, assess, and demonstrate the progress of the MPA and the ecosystem it aims to protect. You can read more about the Big Blue Cloud HERE.
Catalyst: Funded through New Zealand MBIE, this two year project aims to establish an international research coordinated network with the goal of developing a model framework for evaluation of the Ross Sea region MPA. This project, led by Michelle LaRue, will conduct a complete data synthesis by identifying all physical, biological, and climate datasets (available across multiple national programs), which will then facilitate ecosystem process studies aimed at disentangling ecological vs. climate influences on the Ross Sea ecosystem.
Silverfish: Silverfish is being designed as an independent, transformative, well-resourced consortium driving coordinated research in high-seas marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean to safeguard Antarctica's iconic wildlife and globally significant ecosystems. The initial focus is on the Ross Sea region MPA. For more on Silverfish, visit https://silverfish-research.org/
There are many other Ross Sea region MPA research efforts being conducted by national governments, through research grants, and other collaborations. Please use the Contact Us tab to share about your efforts and how we can collaborate.
Future Meetings of Relevance
- SCAR Open Science Conference
Oslo, Norway 8-18 August 2026
Recent Past Meetings
- SCAR Open Science Conference
Pucón, Chile August 19-23, 2024
- 4th International Ross Sea Symposium
Naples, Italy - Jul 3-7, 2023
- SCAR Biology Symposium
Christchurch, NZ Jul 31-Aug 4, 2023
- SOOS Symposium: Southern Ocean in a Changing World
Hobart, Australia - Aug 14-19, 2023
Ross Sea Research Coordination Network: To support research and monitoring in the Ross Sea region MPA (RSRMPA), we are building a “Research Coordination Network” consisting of three key components: (i) policy engagement, (ii) community partner engagement, and (iii) integrated science comprising three themes: data science and cyberinfrastructure, biophysical modeling, and observations that include monitoring and process studies. We envision the Research Coordination Network as an example of how to bring together diverse interdisciplinary participants towards an effective, integrated science-policy collaboration. See Brooks & Stammerjohn et al. (2024) describing the network. We currently have a Research Coordination Network proposal under review with the United States National Science Foundation.
Big Blue Cloud: Empowering Data Science for the RSRMPA: The Big Blue Cloud, developed by Ocean Motion Technologies, is a cloud-based data science open platform designed to support the research and management needs of big ocean data. Leveraging cutting-edge data integration and analysis capabilities, the platform aims to facilitate informed decision-making, enhance conservation strategies, and foster international collaboration. A newly funded NASA project led by Jack Pan will apply the Big Blue Cloud to meet the research and monitoring requirements for the RSRMPA. The Big Blue Cloud will provide a robust data science open platform where researchers, community partners, and decision-makers can conveniently study, assess, and demonstrate the progress of the MPA and the ecosystem it aims to protect. You can read more about the Big Blue Cloud HERE.
Catalyst: Funded through New Zealand MBIE, this two year project aims to establish an international research coordinated network with the goal of developing a model framework for evaluation of the Ross Sea region MPA. This project, led by Michelle LaRue, will conduct a complete data synthesis by identifying all physical, biological, and climate datasets (available across multiple national programs), which will then facilitate ecosystem process studies aimed at disentangling ecological vs. climate influences on the Ross Sea ecosystem.
Silverfish: Silverfish is being designed as an independent, transformative, well-resourced consortium driving coordinated research in high-seas marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean to safeguard Antarctica's iconic wildlife and globally significant ecosystems. The initial focus is on the Ross Sea region MPA. For more on Silverfish, visit https://silverfish-research.org/
There are many other Ross Sea region MPA research efforts being conducted by national governments, through research grants, and other collaborations. Please use the Contact Us tab to share about your efforts and how we can collaborate.
Future Meetings of Relevance
- SCAR Open Science Conference
Oslo, Norway 8-18 August 2026
Recent Past Meetings
- SCAR Open Science Conference
Pucón, Chile August 19-23, 2024
- 4th International Ross Sea Symposium
Naples, Italy - Jul 3-7, 2023
- SCAR Biology Symposium
Christchurch, NZ Jul 31-Aug 4, 2023
- SOOS Symposium: Southern Ocean in a Changing World
Hobart, Australia - Aug 14-19, 2023