It has been quite the year. Probably the best way to put it is “unforgettable”, although there is probably a lot that we want to forget. Strongest in our memory will be video conferences, masks and despair. However, I like to look at a glass as being half full, so please allow me to shine some positive light. Before doing so, I want to recognize the physical and mental suffering and social pain that has plagued our nation and world since COVID began. This period has been difficult not only to those that have lost loved ones or been sick themselves but also to those that have been caring for others, communicating about the problem and keeping our humanity and culture alive. I know many people are still feeling lost and lonely. But life has become more normal, and this has been a welcome change. I hope landscapes and seascapes, along with friends, family and colleagues, continue to provide comfort. Smiles and laughter, even if virtual, go a long way to relieving our tension. Unfortunately, inequality and injustice have continued to bring anguish, and even death, to many who have already endured so much. Probably now more than ever, everyone needs to feel valued and loved. We all must do our part to help heal our social problems. I am not naïve to think that all problems can disappear, but I believe they can be soothed by a sea of positivity and support. Let us all be strong and share our care by helping others. Show your love with kindness and take action however you can!
Highlights over the past year+ include several virtual events that helped bring people and ideas together. For example, the U.S. Team in conjunction with Rhode Island Sea Grant began and has continued the “Offshore Renewable Energy in the U.S.: Learning as We Go” virtual series (see example banner below). This has been an excellent way for managers, scientists, and stakeholders to come together, and being virtual, it has enabled people around the world to share and learn. Recordings from this series and other great content are available: https://web.uri.edu/offshore-renewable-energy/
Another virtual event was the Global Ocean Series (to replace the Global Ocean Summit; see banner below) that was held in partnership with the Large Marine Ecosystem community, the Global Environment Facility, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This series of four virtual conversations connected people across many time zones and recordings are available at https://web.uri.edu/globaloceansummit/global-ocean-series/. These two series were progressive in that they were relatively early in the pandemic timeframe. Since then there have been a multitude of online events. While we might have preferred in-person exchanges, our shift to digital discussion and interaction has allowed more people to engage in ways that were never possible. I’m sure we can all think of unique events that we might not have experienced in the past.
An example virtual event that I enjoyed was a discussion on Marine Protected Areas hosted the USAID Fish Right Program (see banner below). Also, I will mention another project highlight for me were the music videos produced by the USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Program. Check out this Youtube video of Illegal Fishing by Kofi Kinaata. These efforts and many more during COVID have helped the world during a difficult time as discussed in the newsletter articles. It has been great to see how CRC projects continue to perform in creative and impactful ways!
Finally, over the past year, CRC has been working hard on a new strategic plan, and we are now preparing to celebrate our 50-year anniversary this September! Please join our 50th Anniversary Celebration Kick-Off on September 9th (details are on our website). To plan for our future, we have reflected a lot on our past. In addition to our virtual staff meetings (see group pic below), we held many virtual discussions including input from numerous external partners and colleagues (thank you!). Also, we engaged in some funny zoom activities. We must thank CRC alumnus, Mark Amaral of Lighthouse Consulting, for shepherding us through an incredibly thorough and insightful planning process. We are now very close to having a finalized strategic plan, and we are excited to start implementing it during our 50th year!
We thank all of you for your support and action. We look forward to working with you all over our next 50 years.
Best,
J.P.
