Data sharing key to building the transparency needed to assess and respond to ocean risk - Global Fishing Watch

"I was very pleased to be invited to the first ever Ocean Risk Summit in Bermuda last week. Re-insurer XL Catlin gathered leaders from across the political, economic, environmental and risk sectors to identify potential exposures to the effects of a rapidly changing ocean and propose how to respond to their broad-ranging consequences. The insurance sector has long been at the forefront of efforts to assess the multitude of risks from climate change. The growing need to understand the specific impacts of ocean change provided the impetus for the Ocean Risk Summit.   The event presented high-level speakers providing expert data, analysis and innovative tools with an ambitious goal: to generate new and dynamic solutions to Ocean Risk across several themes; Our Changing Ocean; Managing and Reducing Ocean Risk; Building Resilience; and Applied Solutions....

Open data key to building knowledge

Over the course of the two day meeting, it was made abundantly clear how important science and research is to meeting the challenges of ocean risk.  Much of the conversation was about evidence as the key to proper assessments. Open data was raised as an important factor. I was pleased to be able report that research is central to GFW and that we have the Research Accelerator Programme and are ready to expand our research partners. The value of shared information and openness in sharing data is a vital driver to change. And that open data is fundamental to our thinking.

The first Ocean Risk Summit has catalysed important cross-sectoral dialogues and made clear that the will is there to embrace the challenges ahead. GFW stands ready to work with as many stakeholders as possible in shining a light on what is happening in our ocean, both to reduce risk, and build adequate responsibility in stewarding its vast resources."