Jessica Blythe, PhD
@jessicablythe.bsky.social
I am an Associate Professor @brocku.ca studying small-scale fisheries and marine conservation. Posts are about ocean equity, blue justice, climate adaptation, and all things sustainability! #MarSocSci #OceanOptimism 🌿🐟
Pinned
The Ocean Equity Index - Nature
The Ocean Equity Index provides a systematic, twelve-criteria framework to assess and improve equity in ocean initiatives, projects and policies, producing structured data that guide evidence-bas...
www.nature.com
🌊 The global community has made ambitious commitments to advancing ocean equity – what is missing is a transparent & replicable way to measure equity and track progress 🐠
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
LISTEN: Coral reefs face unprecedented pressures. But scientists are finding some are more resilient than others.
On a new #WCSWildAudio with WCS’s Dr. Emily Darling, a strategy to shape the future of coral conservation worldwide.
🌎 apple.co/45Gk8yR
On a new #WCSWildAudio with WCS’s Dr. Emily Darling, a strategy to shape the future of coral conservation worldwide.
🌎 apple.co/45Gk8yR
January 29, 2026 at 9:54 PM
LISTEN: Coral reefs face unprecedented pressures. But scientists are finding some are more resilient than others.
On a new #WCSWildAudio with WCS’s Dr. Emily Darling, a strategy to shape the future of coral conservation worldwide.
🌎 apple.co/45Gk8yR
On a new #WCSWildAudio with WCS’s Dr. Emily Darling, a strategy to shape the future of coral conservation worldwide.
🌎 apple.co/45Gk8yR
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Ocean #inequity is growing rapidly & the burdens (eg, pollution, toxic waste) are borne by the most vulnerable. @jessicablythe.bsky.social et al. created an ocean equity index to assess equity across sectors & scales to generate data to support #evidence-based decision-making doi.org/10.1038/s415...
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Ocean #inequity is growing rapidly & the burdens (eg, pollution, toxic waste) are borne by the most vulnerable. @jessicablythe.bsky.social et al. created an ocean equity index to assess equity across sectors & scales to generate data to support #evidence-based decision-making doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
💙So excited for this epic project with @joachimclaudet.bsky.social @sebasvillasante.bsky.social and the e rest of the team @inspiriprojecteu.bsky.social
🌊Watch this space over the next 3 years 💪🏾
🌊Watch this space over the next 3 years 💪🏾
🌊 How do we imagine the future of European oceans and waters? We proudly introduce INSPIRI – an EU funded Horizon Europe project dedicated to co-designing actionable visions for a restored ocean and water system in the EU by 2030 and 2050.
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
INSPIRI Project Launch Video
YouTube video by INSPIRI PROJECT_ EU
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:35 AM
💙So excited for this epic project with @joachimclaudet.bsky.social @sebasvillasante.bsky.social and the e rest of the team @inspiriprojecteu.bsky.social
🌊Watch this space over the next 3 years 💪🏾
🌊Watch this space over the next 3 years 💪🏾
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
🌊 How do we imagine the future of European oceans and waters? We proudly introduce INSPIRI – an EU funded Horizon Europe project dedicated to co-designing actionable visions for a restored ocean and water system in the EU by 2030 and 2050.
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
INSPIRI Project Launch Video
YouTube video by INSPIRI PROJECT_ EU
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
🌊 How do we imagine the future of European oceans and waters? We proudly introduce INSPIRI – an EU funded Horizon Europe project dedicated to co-designing actionable visions for a restored ocean and water system in the EU by 2030 and 2050.
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
Watch our launch video below to learn more!
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Published in Nature today: the Ocean Equity Index (OEI), the first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects. OEI turns equity from an abstract goal into a measurable standard for ocean decision-making.
The OEI is free and easy to use: oceanequityindex.org
The OEI is free and easy to use: oceanequityindex.org
Ocean Equity Index: Measuring Equity in Ocean Governance
Explore the Ocean Equity Index, a practical tool for assessing equity, inclusion and social impact in ocean initiatives around the world.
oceanequityindex.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Published in Nature today: the Ocean Equity Index (OEI), the first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects. OEI turns equity from an abstract goal into a measurable standard for ocean decision-making.
The OEI is free and easy to use: oceanequityindex.org
The OEI is free and easy to use: oceanequityindex.org
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
[COMMENTARY]
An Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo says a World Bank–backed carbon project risks advancing on land where customary rights remain unresolved.
A new op-ed argues land disputes should be settled before carbon offsets move forward.
** Views are author's.
An Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo says a World Bank–backed carbon project risks advancing on land where customary rights remain unresolved.
A new op-ed argues land disputes should be settled before carbon offsets move forward.
** Views are author's.
World Bank carbon program risks further infringing upon rights of Indonesian Indigenous community (commentary)
In the upper reaches of the Mahakam River, inside one of the last intact rainforest corridors of Borneo, the Dayak Bahau community of Long Isun has been fighting a long, layered battle for justice.…
news.mongabay.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:02 PM
[COMMENTARY]
An Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo says a World Bank–backed carbon project risks advancing on land where customary rights remain unresolved.
A new op-ed argues land disputes should be settled before carbon offsets move forward.
** Views are author's.
An Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo says a World Bank–backed carbon project risks advancing on land where customary rights remain unresolved.
A new op-ed argues land disputes should be settled before carbon offsets move forward.
** Views are author's.
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Congratulations, @uvicenvi.bsky.social Natalie Ban and co-authors on this first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects. #oceans #oceanequityindex #uvic
January 28, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Congratulations, @uvicenvi.bsky.social Natalie Ban and co-authors on this first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects. #oceans #oceanequityindex #uvic
🌊 The global community has made ambitious commitments to advancing ocean equity – what is missing is a transparent & replicable way to measure equity and track progress 🐠
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The Ocean Equity Index - Nature
The Ocean Equity Index provides a systematic, twelve-criteria framework to assess and improve equity in ocean initiatives, projects and policies, producing structured data that guide evidence-bas...
www.nature.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:14 PM
🌊 The global community has made ambitious commitments to advancing ocean equity – what is missing is a transparent & replicable way to measure equity and track progress 🐠
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📢 Our new @nature.com paper, the #OceanEquityIndex, offers a simple yet robust solution: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Injustices in the ocean space are increasing & #ocean #defenders are at risk. López De La Lama et al. found organizations, eg, NGOs & INGOs, offer important support in several ways, eg, conducting research & advocating/facilitating #decision-making @nathanjbennett.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ma...
January 27, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Injustices in the ocean space are increasing & #ocean #defenders are at risk. López De La Lama et al. found organizations, eg, NGOs & INGOs, offer important support in several ways, eg, conducting research & advocating/facilitating #decision-making @nathanjbennett.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ma...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Marine scientists have mapped Thailand’s coral reefs in rare detail, creating a vital baseline before the 2024 global bleaching hit.
The surveys show reefs losing complexity, with branching corals fading—data that could guide future restoration and resilience efforts.
The surveys show reefs losing complexity, with branching corals fading—data that could guide future restoration and resilience efforts.
Coast-to-coast coral assessment reveals Thailand’s reefs losing complexity
Marine scientists compiling the most holistic “snapshot” of Thailand’s coral reefs to date have uncovered evidence of a long-suspected reality: Thailand’s coral reefs are losing structural complexity....
news.mongabay.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Marine scientists have mapped Thailand’s coral reefs in rare detail, creating a vital baseline before the 2024 global bleaching hit.
The surveys show reefs losing complexity, with branching corals fading—data that could guide future restoration and resilience efforts.
The surveys show reefs losing complexity, with branching corals fading—data that could guide future restoration and resilience efforts.
✨ The SNAPP Advancing Ocean Equity Project is hiring!
🦈 Join David Gill & @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social to co-produce guidance for equitable ocean governance.
🔹 Deadline: 28 February 2026
🔹 Job link: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31550
🌊 Please apply or share widely!
🦈 Join David Gill & @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social to co-produce guidance for equitable ocean governance.
🔹 Deadline: 28 February 2026
🔹 Job link: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31550
🌊 Please apply or share widely!
January 27, 2026 at 5:55 PM
✨ The SNAPP Advancing Ocean Equity Project is hiring!
🦈 Join David Gill & @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social to co-produce guidance for equitable ocean governance.
🔹 Deadline: 28 February 2026
🔹 Job link: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31550
🌊 Please apply or share widely!
🦈 Join David Gill & @sangeetamangubhai.bsky.social to co-produce guidance for equitable ocean governance.
🔹 Deadline: 28 February 2026
🔹 Job link: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31550
🌊 Please apply or share widely!
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
❓ What do #drones, #DeepSeaMining, #mounjaro and mirror proteins all have in common?
🅰️: They have all been identified as 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation.
All 1️⃣5️⃣ threats: 🔗 hhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534725003015
🅰️: They have all been identified as 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation.
All 1️⃣5️⃣ threats: 🔗 hhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534725003015
January 27, 2026 at 1:29 PM
❓ What do #drones, #DeepSeaMining, #mounjaro and mirror proteins all have in common?
🅰️: They have all been identified as 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation.
All 1️⃣5️⃣ threats: 🔗 hhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534725003015
🅰️: They have all been identified as 15 emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation.
All 1️⃣5️⃣ threats: 🔗 hhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534725003015
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
In 2020, Mauritius suffered a major oil spill when the MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef.
Five years on, fuel oil still lingers in affected mangroves, as conservationists say the disaster has faded from scrutiny—even as ecological damage may last decades.
Five years on, fuel oil still lingers in affected mangroves, as conservationists say the disaster has faded from scrutiny—even as ecological damage may last decades.
More than 5 years after Wakashio oil spill, questions linger in Mauritius
POINTE D’ESNY, Mauritius — In August 2020, Vikash Tatayah at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation made a phone call he never expected to make. He had “an unusual request,” he recounts telling friends...
news.mongabay.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:40 PM
In 2020, Mauritius suffered a major oil spill when the MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef.
Five years on, fuel oil still lingers in affected mangroves, as conservationists say the disaster has faded from scrutiny—even as ecological damage may last decades.
Five years on, fuel oil still lingers in affected mangroves, as conservationists say the disaster has faded from scrutiny—even as ecological damage may last decades.
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
A #NewStudy shows, for the first time, floating mats of #macroalgae (or #seaweeds - including #kelp) in Southwest #Greenland can travel 100s of kms offshore - and may ultimately sink into the deep ocean, locking away #carbon for the long term:
pml.ac.uk/news/new-evi...
@ostseeforschung.bsky.social
pml.ac.uk/news/new-evi...
@ostseeforschung.bsky.social
New evidence reveals how Greenland’s seaweed locks away carbon in the deep ocean
An interdisciplinary study confirms, for the first time, the oceanographic pathways that transport floating macroalgae from the coastal waters of Southwest Greenland to deep-sea carbon reservoirs, pot
pml.ac.uk
January 23, 2026 at 10:46 AM
A #NewStudy shows, for the first time, floating mats of #macroalgae (or #seaweeds - including #kelp) in Southwest #Greenland can travel 100s of kms offshore - and may ultimately sink into the deep ocean, locking away #carbon for the long term:
pml.ac.uk/news/new-evi...
@ostseeforschung.bsky.social
pml.ac.uk/news/new-evi...
@ostseeforschung.bsky.social
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
Annual reminder of how many days there are in each month.
January 23, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Annual reminder of how many days there are in each month.
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
“Impertinent shrimp” is a whole vibe
Another from my archives, an impertinent shrimp infringing on a sea star’s personal space at the Seattle Aquarium
#MarineLife #Crustaceans #LeatherStar #Echinoderm #Invertebrates #Rude #PNW #PugetSound #Seattle
#MarineLife #Crustaceans #LeatherStar #Echinoderm #Invertebrates #Rude #PNW #PugetSound #Seattle
January 23, 2026 at 1:35 PM
“Impertinent shrimp” is a whole vibe
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
In a new World Economic Forum blog, our co-director Jim Leape and the Forum's Alfredo Girón Nava offer examples of how countries in Africa, and elsewhere, are building and strengthening the #BlueFoods sector through innovative solutions ⤵️
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
#BlueDavos
📷 Greg Keelen
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
#BlueDavos
📷 Greg Keelen
January 22, 2026 at 8:02 PM
In a new World Economic Forum blog, our co-director Jim Leape and the Forum's Alfredo Girón Nava offer examples of how countries in Africa, and elsewhere, are building and strengthening the #BlueFoods sector through innovative solutions ⤵️
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
#BlueDavos
📷 Greg Keelen
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
#BlueDavos
📷 Greg Keelen
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
New paper out today in @natrevbiodiv.nature.com by the #GlobalSharkTrends team: Bending back the curve of shark & ray biodiversity loss;
Read the paper here: rdcu.be/eZ9n9
@sfu.ca
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
Read the paper here: rdcu.be/eZ9n9
@sfu.ca
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 3:35 AM
New paper out today in @natrevbiodiv.nature.com by the #GlobalSharkTrends team: Bending back the curve of shark & ray biodiversity loss;
Read the paper here: rdcu.be/eZ9n9
@sfu.ca
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
Read the paper here: rdcu.be/eZ9n9
@sfu.ca
@sfubiosciences.bsky.social
@earth2ocean.bsky.social
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
The ocean is getting crowded🌊 From #fishing & #shipping, to #offshore infrastructure & #conservation, marine trade-offs are getting tougher. New research from @exeter.ac.uk / @exetermarine.bsky.social + PML explores how decisions are made, and why #BlueJustice matters: pml.ac.uk/news/navigat...
Navigating tricky trade-offs in busy seas
Study shows how ‘Blue Justice’ is key to delivering fairer and more equitable use of marine space.
pml.ac.uk
January 22, 2026 at 10:45 AM
The ocean is getting crowded🌊 From #fishing & #shipping, to #offshore infrastructure & #conservation, marine trade-offs are getting tougher. New research from @exeter.ac.uk / @exetermarine.bsky.social + PML explores how decisions are made, and why #BlueJustice matters: pml.ac.uk/news/navigat...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
The #BBNJ Agreement could strengthen biodiversity protection in the Central Arctic Ocean.
However, scientists warn that existing legal frameworks, weak enforcement and competing national interests may limit its impact in one of the ocean’s most politically complex regions.
@annasoer.bsky.social
However, scientists warn that existing legal frameworks, weak enforcement and competing national interests may limit its impact in one of the ocean’s most politically complex regions.
@annasoer.bsky.social
The Central Arctic Ocean and the BBNJ Agreement: potential and limitations
The signature of an international agreement to manage biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ Agreement) raised questions about its applicability in the Arctic region in general and the Ce...
www.tandfonline.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:06 PM
The #BBNJ Agreement could strengthen biodiversity protection in the Central Arctic Ocean.
However, scientists warn that existing legal frameworks, weak enforcement and competing national interests may limit its impact in one of the ocean’s most politically complex regions.
@annasoer.bsky.social
However, scientists warn that existing legal frameworks, weak enforcement and competing national interests may limit its impact in one of the ocean’s most politically complex regions.
@annasoer.bsky.social
In anticipation of the United States' withdrawal from IPBES, Chair @davidobura.bsky.social responds with #empathy and a renewed commitment to supporting credible science to inform biodiversity decision-making 🐋 🌿💗
“We cannot withdraw from the fact that over 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction.”
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
January 8, 2026 at 7:34 PM
In anticipation of the United States' withdrawal from IPBES, Chair @davidobura.bsky.social responds with #empathy and a renewed commitment to supporting credible science to inform biodiversity decision-making 🐋 🌿💗
🐙 Yet another example of growing ocean inequity.
Frédéric Le Manach et al. find that public subsidies were disproportionately concentrated in a small part of the EU fishing fleet 🎣
doi.org/10.1038/s441...
Frédéric Le Manach et al. find that public subsidies were disproportionately concentrated in a small part of the EU fishing fleet 🎣
doi.org/10.1038/s441...
A 45-year retrospective of the European Union’s fishing access agreements with coastal States of the Global South - npj Ocean Sustainability
npj Ocean Sustainability - A 45-year retrospective of the European Union’s fishing access agreements with coastal States of the Global South
doi.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
🐙 Yet another example of growing ocean inequity.
Frédéric Le Manach et al. find that public subsidies were disproportionately concentrated in a small part of the EU fishing fleet 🎣
doi.org/10.1038/s441...
Frédéric Le Manach et al. find that public subsidies were disproportionately concentrated in a small part of the EU fishing fleet 🎣
doi.org/10.1038/s441...
Reposted by Jessica Blythe, PhD
[COMMENTARY]
Just a year after creating the North Atlantic’s largest MPA network, the Azores may allow tuna fishing in no-take zones.
An op-ed warns this would undermine a global conservation win amid growing political backsliding.
** Views are author's.
Just a year after creating the North Atlantic’s largest MPA network, the Azores may allow tuna fishing in no-take zones.
An op-ed warns this would undermine a global conservation win amid growing political backsliding.
** Views are author's.
Azores must respect its exceptional network of marine protected areas (commentary)
At the end of 2024, the Azores stood as a beacon of hope and a global leader in ocean conservation, having created the largest network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the North Atlantic. The…
news.mongabay.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
[COMMENTARY]
Just a year after creating the North Atlantic’s largest MPA network, the Azores may allow tuna fishing in no-take zones.
An op-ed warns this would undermine a global conservation win amid growing political backsliding.
** Views are author's.
Just a year after creating the North Atlantic’s largest MPA network, the Azores may allow tuna fishing in no-take zones.
An op-ed warns this would undermine a global conservation win amid growing political backsliding.
** Views are author's.
Drawing on case studies from Mexico and Honduras, Liliana Sierra Castillo et al. show that centering communities' lived experience is essential for #equitable #aquaculture 🐟
doi.org/10.1007/s132...
doi.org/10.1007/s132...
Community-centered approaches to aquaculture in small-scale fisheries - Ambio
Aquaculture is the fastest-growing seafood production system globally, offering economic and social opportunities for small-scale fishing communities. Yet, it is often introduced through top-down, tec...
doi.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Drawing on case studies from Mexico and Honduras, Liliana Sierra Castillo et al. show that centering communities' lived experience is essential for #equitable #aquaculture 🐟
doi.org/10.1007/s132...
doi.org/10.1007/s132...
In a new paper, Fasika Bekele Ayalew & Moses Limuwa find that nearly 60% of small-scale fishers #ssf in Lake Chilwa, Malawi are experiencing #climatechange induced declines in fishing income 🎣
doi.org/10.1080/2331...
doi.org/10.1080/2331...
On the frontline of change: Climate vulnerability and adaptation among Lake Chilwa’s (Malawi) smallscale fishers
Climate change threatens the sustainability of livelihoods in communities highly dependent on natural resources. While climate impacts on lakes are widely studied, limited knowledge exists on how f...
doi.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:07 PM
In a new paper, Fasika Bekele Ayalew & Moses Limuwa find that nearly 60% of small-scale fishers #ssf in Lake Chilwa, Malawi are experiencing #climatechange induced declines in fishing income 🎣
doi.org/10.1080/2331...
doi.org/10.1080/2331...