Somerville Fellow and Tutor in Biological Sciences Alex Rogers is to advise a High-level Panel bringing together heads of government to ensure sustainable development of the ocean.
The panel, launched by Norway, draws thirteen heads of government from coastal states together. It aims to develop a new relationship between humanity and the sea at a time of growing demand for marine resources.
Alex Rogers
Professor Rogers, whose research focuses on the diversity and ecology of deep-sea ecosystems, will join a group that provides advice and insights to the panel. The group combines experts from a range of disciplines including economics, biology, geology and ocean physics.
The panel will produce research on topics including sustainable fisheries, energy and ocean tourism, culminating in a final report due in 2020.
Stilts fishermen, Sri Lanka – Bernard Gagnon
Professor Rogers has undertaken projects for the UN International Seabed Authority, the UN Division of Oceans and Law of the Sea, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Earlier this year, he headed a research mission to Bermuda that provided confirmation of a new ocean zone, the Rariphotic Zone – at 130m to 300m deep – which is home to a distinct biological community.