SRT training endorsed by United Nations Ocean Decade!
In January, SRT were lucky enough to meet Niru Dorrian, who serves as the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Ambassador to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), commonly known as the UN Ocean Decade. IMarEST is the largest international professional body and learned society for marine professionals, headquartered in London and operating globally. The Institute is proud to be an Implementing Partner of the UN Ocean Decade, a global initiative dedicated to advancing ocean science and sustainable development.
The Ocean Decade is currently the largest international programme of its kind, led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, and brings together governments, international organisations, scientific institutions, NGOs, and the private sector worldwide under the banner ‘The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want.’
As many of you will already be aware, SRT offer free online volunteer training to enhance the knowledge and skills of aspiring volunteers interested in joining our collaborative team effort to achieve SRT’s mission of ‘Helping people to help wild seals’.
SRT offer free online volunteer training: email seals@sealresearchtrust.com
As the UN Ocean Decade Ambassador for IMarEST, Niru suggested that SRT’s online volunteer training would be a suitable applicant for UN Ocean Decade endorsement. This is because SRT’s training contributes to the objectives of the UN Ocean Decade by building capacity to generate, share, and apply marine ecological knowledge through structured training in seal monitoring, photo-identification, ethical wildlife observation, and citizen science data processing.
By equipping volunteers with validated skills and protocols, SRT’s training strengthens the quality, consistency, and usability of our ecological data supporting conservation and research. Our training has proved suitable for teenagers through to adults of all ages. SRT’s training accelerates the creation and use of seal knowledge and data by expanding the number of trained contributors to our long-term grey and harbour seal monitoring. Data produced through our volunteer team effort supports evidence-based conservation planning, site protection, policy engagement, and public awareness, increasing the societal value and application of all our ocean knowledge.
SRT’s training meets 3 of the UN Ocean Decade’s 10 Challenges:
Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all
Restoring society’s relationship with the ocean
Niru very kindly helped us with our SRT application and we are delighted to say our training was successfully endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade for an initial period of one year. How exciting is that? This endorsement recognises the value of SRT’s work in building skills, knowledge, and public engagement in marine conservation through citizen science and volunteer training. As part of the Ocean Decade network, SRT’s activities may also be highlighted through the Ocean Decade website and social media channels, helping share our work with a wider international audience. The endorsement also encourages projects to share updates on their training activities, so that the wider impact of Ocean Decade initiatives can be tracked and celebrated. SRT can also use the UN Ocean Decade logo across webinar marketing, promotional materials, and presentation slides, strengthening our credibility, visibility, and reach.
To find out more about the UN Ocean Decade, click here >>
If you have time to volunteer with our seal related research activities and would like to access our free online volunteer training, you can email seals@sealresearchtrust.com. We will advise you to sign up for SRT’s ‘Seals!’ online Newsletter to find more out about SRT and seals. It is also a good idea for you to attend at least three Seal Sessions (run online on the first Wednesday of every month at 19:00) as this will give you a flavour of the huge range of activities that you can get involved in as a volunteer. Of course, we can all support SRT and seals by checking out our ‘One Stop Online Sealy Shop’ whenever we need a sealy treat or gift!
Thank you to Niru Dorrian, IMarEST, our ex Ranger Marion Beauilieu (who created our original online volunteer training) and the UN Ocean Decade for recognising the value of our training.
