I’m an internationally recognized Agro-environmental expert with two and half decades of experience. I’m holding two MScs, the first one (In Zoology & Aquaculture), and the second is (in Natural ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN CEM Ecosystem Based Aquaculture Specialist Group
Overview and description
Description:
The CEM Ecosystem-based Aquaculture Specialist Group aims to foster the sustainable development of aquaculture and to promote the conservation of related marine and freshwater biodiversity. To fulfil ...
Group leadership
Mr IMADEDDIN ALBABA
Co-Lead
I’m an internationally recognized Agro-environmental expert with two and half decades of experience. I’m holding two MScs, the first one (In Zoology & Aquaculture), and the second is (in Natural Resources Management and Their Sustainability), and one Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management Planning, obtained from well-known academic institutions. My research; and consultancy works aiming at Promoting the Innovative; Climate Smart, and Agroecological Agricultural Best Practices; Biodiversity conservation and Finding Creative Environmental Problem Solution. I’m an author; co-author and accredited international scientific writing peer reviewer (Scientific articles; MSc and PhD thesis; and technical reports). My publications are accessible at my Researchgate account: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Imadeddin_Albaba3 I’m a trainer, who executed training coach helping hundreds of professionals mastering strategic skills of agro-environmental technical writing; Aquaculture practices; biodiversity and environmental planning; innovative agricultural practices and many others disciplines. I’m a member of many international Unions, Societies, concerning with Science; wildlife; environment etc, I have had the opportunity to acquire efficient communication and organizational skills. Furthermore, I have gained significant experience through internships abroad (Russia 1988-1994; INDIA, 1999-2000; U.K; Spain; Greece & Germany) and many other countries around the world.
Ms Maddelyn Harden, Ph.D.
Co-Lead
I am a molecular biology researcher and educator with over 11 years of experience specializing in genetics, marine science, and conservation. My expertise includes program and project management, data analysis, and leadership in developing innovative solutions for marine and fisheries conservation.
At USC’s Nuzhdin Lab, I have successfully led advanced biology courses, developed new curricula, and coordinated multi-year, collaborative research initiatives. My research is dedicated to advancing ocean sustainability, fisheries management, and climate change policy, driven by a passion for protecting marine ecosystems. My journey began with a senior thesis on the ecological and economic impacts of bait usage in the Maine lobster industry, which ignited my commitment to marine biology and fisheries management. This experience inspired me to pursue a PhD at USC, focusing on the genetic underpinnings of kelp heat stress response in California to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
Beyond research, I actively seek to apply science in policy and conservation settings. As the Policy and Advocacy Chair in the California-Nevada chapter of the American Fisheries Society, I initiate policy discussions and engage stakeholders to promote the conservation and sustainability of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. In my role as Policy and Advocacy Co-Chair for the Genetics Society of America’s Early Career Leadership Program, I collaborate with fellow early-career scientists to identify and address key challenges within the scientific community, enhancing our policy communication skills through targeted workshops and initiatives.
My focus lies at the intersection of marine science, international policy, and climate resilience, where I aim to influence global environmental policy through data-driven solutions and collaborative efforts.
I am a molecular biology researcher and educator with over 11 years of experience specializing in genetics, marine science, and conservation. My expertise includes program and project management, data ...
Future World demands of marine protein will be mainly covered by the increasing supply of aquaculture products, which as growing activity in many coastal and marine areas, is faced with environmental, social and technical issues. Aquaculture development requires addressing its future relationship with marine biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change scenarios.
The Ecosystem-based Aquaculture Group (E-bAG) is an IUCN experts group with global expertise on aquaculture management and development, including biodiversity, ecosystem processes and precautionary approaches.
The E-bAG is being established to address the need for aquaculture competence within the Commission on Ecosystem Management of the IUCN, contributing to the leading paradigm in conservation and management issues of aquatic environments.
Objectives
The mission of the IUCN/CEM/E-bAG is to foster the sustainable development of aquaculture and to promote the conservation of related marine and freshwater biodiversity. To fulfil this mission, the IUCN/CEM/E-bAG will seek to influence aquaculture policy and related conservation strategies as well as to propose responsible management methods and tools. The IUCN/CEM/E-bAG will build bridges between stakeholders; it will offer guidance to managers and practitioners and will develop an integrated approach between institutions and environmental organizations, both governmental and non-governmental.
The E-bAG will incorporate in its objectives the five priority programmatic elements of the Commission of Ecosystem Management. These five objectives of the E-bAG are:
- The Ecosystem Approach - To promote and facilitate the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in all aquaculture production levels and procedures;
- Ecosystem Services – To identify and to measure the importance (value) of ecosystem services in relation with aquaculture practices.
- Indicators of Ecosystem Status - To develop and apply indicators to measure the changes on the status of ecosystems (vulnerability; risk of species extinction) because of aquaculture related procedures and activities;
- Ecosystem Management Tools – To develop and facilitate the use of Ecosystem Management Tools (e.g., capacity-building, training, coastal zone development) in the recommendations and conclusions the group would come up with;
- Ecosystem Restoration - To establish a capacity of aquaculture to promote Ecosystem Restoration (e.g. species re-stocking) and adaptation to climate change (e.g., protection of shorelines);
For meeting its objectives, E-bAG will develpp several activities such as: reviewing the status of ecosystems of aquaculture sites, identifying and considering ecosystem issues in aquaculture management; promoting better practices and sustainable approaches in ecosystem-based aquaculture management; organizing multidisciplinary dialogues on aquaculture ecosystem issues; exploring positive interactions between aquaculture and natural ecosystem to enhance sustainability of the activity; providing IUCN mechanisms with high level aquaculture expertise; facilitating collaboration and promote synergies amongst IUCN members related with aquaculture development.