Publications

Blasiak. R. 2019. International regulatory changes poised to reshape access to marine genes. Nature Biotechnologyvolume 37, pages357–358 (2019)

Blasiak, R., Jouffray, J-B., Wabnitz, C.C.C., Österblom, H. 2019. Scientists Should Disclose Origin in Marine Gene Patents. Science & Society Vol. 34, Issue 5, P392-395, MAY 01, 2019

Spijkers, J., Singh, G., Blasiak, R., Morrison, T.H., Le Billon, Österblom, H. 2019. Global patterns of fisheries conflict: Forty years of data. Global Environmental Change Volume 57, July 2019, 101921 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.05.005

International fisheries conflict can cause crises by threatening maritime security, ecosystems and livelihoods. In a highly connected world, the possibility for localized fisheries conflict to escalate into ‘systemic risks’, where risk in one domain such as food supply can increase risk in another domain such as maritime security and international relations, is growing. However, countries often choose hard-line actions rather ...

Blasiak, R., Wabnitz, C.C.C., Daw, T., Berger, M., et.al. 2019. Towards greater transparency and coherence in funding for sustainable marine fisheries and healthy oceans. Marine Policy, DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2019.04.012

This final manuscript in the special issue on “Funding for ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries” is the result of a dialogue aimed at connecting lead authors of the special issue manuscripts with relevant policymakers and practitioners. The dialogue took place over the course of a two-day workshop in December 2018, and this “coda” manuscript seeks to distil thinking around a series of key recurring topics raised throug...

Minohara, A., Cooling, C., and Blasiak, R. 2017. Coastal communities and livelihoods in a changing world: A comparison of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Matsushima Bay, Japan and the Salish Sea, Canada/USA. In: UNU-IAS and IGES (eds.) 2017, Sustainable livelihoods in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review vol. 3), United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Tokyo.

This publication is part of a publication which compiles 11 selected case studies provided by authors belonging to IPSI member organizations and covers experiences from countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America, with various socio-political and ecosystem contexts. Authors were asked to identify challenges and opportunities in sustaining livelihoods, social and ecological changes that have occurred and approaches bein...

Blasiak, R., Jouffray, J-B., Wabnitz, C.C.C., Sundström, E., Österblom, H. 2018. Corporate control and global governance of marine genetic resources.Sci. Adv. 2018;4: eaar5237

Who owns ocean biodiversity? This is an increasingly relevant question, given the legal uncertainties associated with the use of genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover half of the Earth’s surface. We accessed 38 million records of genetic sequences associated with patents and created a database of 12,998 sequences extracted from 862 marine species. We identified >1600 sequences from 91 species a...

Spijkers J., Morrison, T.H., Blasiak, R., et al. 2018. Marine fisheries and future ocean conflict. Fish Fish. 2018;00:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12291

Conflict over marine fishery resources is a growing security concern. Experts expect that global changes in our climate, food systems and oceans may spark or exacerbate resource conflicts. An initial scan of 803 relevant papers and subsequent intensive review of 31 fisheries conflict studies, focused on subnational and international conflicts, suggests that four substantial scientific gaps need addressing to improve our unders...

Blasiak, R., C. Durussel, J. Pittman, C-A. Senit, M. Petersson, N. Yagi. 2017. The role of NGOs in negotiating the use of biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Marine Policy 81: 1-8

In 2004, the UN General Assembly resolved to establish a working group to consider issues pertaining to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The group met nine times between 2006 and 2015 before concluding its mandate by recommending the development of an international legally binding instrument on BBNJ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Se...

Blasiak, R., Wabnitz, C.C.C. 2017. Aligning fisheries aid with international development targets and goals. Marine Policy 88 (2018) 86–92 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.11.018

Official development assistance (ODA) is intended to spur progress and increase security among recipient countries. Billions in ODA have been allocated to fisheries to support nutrition and livelihoods worldwide. Yet, from 2010 to 2015, fisheries allocations decreased by>30%, while grants for non-fisheries sectors increased by>13%. Globally, grants for climate change adaptation and mitigation fell for fisheries, while rapid...

Blasiak. R., Huang, J, H-W., Ishihara, H., et. al. 2017. Promoting diversity and inclusiveness in seafood certification and ecolabelling: Prospects for Asia. Marine Policy Volume 85, November 2017, Pages 42-47, DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.08.011

Building on the inputs by a range of experts who participated in the February 2017 international symposium on “Designing the Future for Fisheries Certification Schemes” at the University of Tokyo, this manuscript traces the origins of fisheries certification schemes, relevant developments, and remaining challenges from an Asian perspective. Over the past 20 years, seafood certification has emerged as a powerful tool for meetin...