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Building a "Maritime Community with a Shared Future" (MCSF) is a maritime development concept with Chinese characteristics proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019. It is based on the rich cultural tradition and unique historical value of China's maritime civilization. It aims to solve real ocean problems and has outlined the future direction of human ocean development from the perspective of China. The essence of the MCSF is an issue of both ocean cultural and development concepts. It is a conceptual issue that transcends specific national boundaries and regions and is based on how all of humankind, with common interests and common values, can develop in harmony with the oceans. It is not a covert discourse strategy adopted by China in order to realize its "maritime power" ambition, as occasionally described by some Western countries. Starting with an analysis of the essential nature and implications of maritime culture by Chinese researchers, this article clarifies and summarizes the interaction, exchange, and integration of Chinese maritime culture in East Asia from a historical perspective, and extracts the unique characteristics and values of Chinese maritime culture. From the perspective of human-sea interactions, the three historical stages, as well as the existing problems of transforming and upgrading human-ocean culture, are analyzed. The article also contrasts Chinese and Western maritime cultures and proposes to absorb the outstanding achievements of both Chinese and Western maritime civilizations into a common framework in order to fundamentally reverse the antagonistic human-sea relationship that has existed historically. Finally, we propose giving full play to the fundamental role of marine cultural exchange and integration and, through international cooperation on specific issues in the field of global ocean international relations, propose specific and feasible practical pathways to promoting the realization of the MCSF.

Ocean-based industries like shipping, aquaculture, and wind energy are growing at an unprecedented rate resulting in challenges related to siting and environmental management. As marine aquaculture and other ocean-based industries continue to expand, robust marine spatial planning analyses that reconcile existing ocean uses and integrate pertinent environmental and planning data are critical for identifying compatible locations. In this study, a series of geospatial analyses were used for aquaculture siting within and around a heavily trafficked and highly utilized maritime port in the San Diego Bay area of California, USA. Using a centralized geodatabase representing key aquaculture planning spatial datasets, recommendations for specific areas for aquaculture were developed based on appropriate environmental conditions for candidate shellfish and algae aquaculture species culture systems. Areas that were known constraints were first identified to determine potentially usable areas for shellfish and macroalgae (i.e., seaweed) aquaculture using an exclusion analysis, a type of multi-criteria decision analysis, to eliminate all areas without compatibility. Within the remaining usable area, we further considered shellfish and macroalgae culture system-specific factors within a 'culture systems analysis' to determine where different culture systems have potential for success. This analysis provides a foundation of coastal intelligence for guiding the aquaculture industry and natural resource managers towards appropriate siting decisions. This study can serve as a replicable example of aquaculture spatial planning approaches for siting sustainable aquaculture and other blue economy industries.

There is an increasing interest in developing innovative coatings and testing natural products with anti-fouling activity to substitute current highly toxic biocides that have a harmful impact on marine organisms. Bacillus licheniformis species have shown different anti-biofilm and anti-fouling activities in vitro, but so far, its efficacy in field trials has not been tested. For this purpose, the capacity of different extracts of B. licheniformis NCTC 10341T to prevent micro and macro-fouling was first tested in vitro. The methanol cell extract (MCE) inhibited bacterial biofilm formation without significantly affecting planktonic growth and displayed a significant efficacy to prevent larval settlement of the macro-fouler Bugula neritina in vitro without inducing lethality. Additionally, the MCE presented low toxicity against the non-target species Artemia salina. The B. licheniformis MCE was then incorporated in a self-polishing paint at 2 and 5% w/w and tested in a static immersion experiment in the Gulf of Aqaba (northern Red Sea) for 180 days. Fouling coverage decreased by 30% in the 5% MCE-treated panels in comparison with the control panels. Differences in the anti-biofilm activity of the extracts depending on the culture medium highlight the importance of the strict control of culture conditions for the production of biomass with stable bioactive activity. The results indicate the potential of B. licheniformis NCTC 10341T crude extracts for environmentally friendly anti-fouling applications, although a deeper characterization of the bioactive compounds present in the B. licheniformis MCE and its mode of action is required to allow strict control of the activity of the extracts to achieve large-scale industrial production.

One direct consequence of Arctic warming is the expansion of navigable portions of the Arctic Ocean. As a result, vessel traffic and the accompanying threats of spills, strikes and disturbance is intensifying throughout the Arctic. In the BERING Sea, these threats to the environment, wildlife and to the people who rely on marine resources for food and cultural continuity, are acute. We examined the spatial relevance of an Area To Be Avoided (ATBA), a shipping-risk mitigation measure, established around St. Lawrence Island with respect to seabirds, as sentinel species, habitat use. We studied four seabird species (common murre Uria aalge, thick-billed murre U. lomvia, crested auklet Aethia cristatella, black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla) breeding at St. Lawrence Island in the northern BERING Sea. GPS tracking data from 47 at-sea foraging trips showed that both murre species and crested auklets distributed outside the ATBA, during at least one stage of the breeding season. A larger dataset based on the birds' red blood cell isotopic signatures confirmed that for murres, the tracked individuals covered the broad niche exploited by these species. Habitat modelling further showed that the birds' most suitable marine habitats were associated with seasonal surface chlorophyll blooms, and largely extended beyond the ATBA on the shelf north of the island. Data on the murres' diet and diving behavior emphasized the importance of the shelf as a foraging habitat for these birds. We suggest that extending the ATBA to the north by only 35 km, would include areas of maximal habitat suitability. This extension would better protect seabirds, their foraging habitats and the cultural continuity of St. Lawrence Islanders, against growing threats stemming from Arctic warming.

Today, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of Dubrovnik through responsible tourism management and to help establish Dubrovnik as a model of sustainable tourism in the Adriatic region and beyond. The MOU signed by CLIA, President & CEO, Kelly CRAIGHEAD, and City of Dubrovnik, Mayor Mato FRANKOVIĆ, focuses on investment, collaboration and best practices for long-term destination management to the benefit residents and visitors alike.

A healthy marine environment is integral to numerous New Zealand economic, social, and cultural values, including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and recreational and customary activities. The introduction and spread of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) via the vessel biofouling pathway may put these values at risk. Over the past two decades, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been proactive in commissioning research focused on the risks associated with vessel biofouling, identification of potential risk vessels, and risk management options. In 2010, MPI consulted on options to manage the biofouling risks on all vessels entering New Zealand waters. In 2014, New Zealand became the first country to introduce mandatory biofouling requirements. Between 2014 and 2018, MPI focused on communicating the requirements to support stakeholder awareness, readiness, and uptake. In parallel, MPI commissioned further research to investigate proactive and reactive approaches to biofouling management. Research outcomes were summarized and technical advice provided to inform stakeholders of what constitutes best biofouling management practices. This review summarizes MPI's research and technical advice on the risks associated with vessel biofouling and its management, and the procedures followed to produce New Zealand's biofouling regulations. The development of these regulations is also contextualized in terms of New Zealand's marine biosecurity system. The transparent and evidence-based approach followed by MPI provides a blueprint for establishing biofouling regulations. Because these regulations are aligned with the International Maritime Organization guidelines, there is the potential to develop consistent global and domestic practices for managing marine NIS introduction and spread.

Since the Brexit happened in January 2020, it is likely to impact the United Kingdom (UK) and the whole of Europe in different ways. The UK and other European countries will revise their preferences concerning fisheries, ports access and governance, and bilateral diplomatic relationships with the countries alongside the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR). However, this is not an end to uncertainties, but the beginning to show the double-edged effects of Brexit. This paper focuses on the opportunities and challenges for Sino-UK as well as European Union (EU) relations arising from Brexit. The present study considers Brexit's impact on the MSR countries, especially China, Pakistan, and India. It examines what Brexit means for the Sino-UK/EU relationship, politically, economically, and culturally. It concludes with the potential impacts of Brexit on Sino-UK/EU trade relations, maritime security, marine resources usage, the safety of navigation, port governance and cooperation, and suggests the appropriate strategies that can be put in place to capitalise on opportunities to reap benefits while mitigating the challenges.

Invasive species are spreading into northern latitudes and threatening food and water security. Alaska's aquatic environments support some of the world's most productive wild salmon fisheries. Yet, the influx of invasive species increases the strain on the ecosystems, cultures, and economies that depend on these fisheries. Especially worrisome is the potential transmission of aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis), or Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) through the trade and traffic of recreational watercraft from AIS-infested regions. Since neither invasive mussels nor clams have been found in Alaska waters, there is opportunity to prevent introductions of invasive molluscs and avoid catastrophic impacts to some of the world's last intact ecosystems. To date little data are available to guide human response to reducing the risk of transmitting freshwater AIS that affect critical natal habitat for Alaska's salmon fisheries. This study triangulated existing data on watercraft registrations and inspections with key informant interviews to establish a first estimate of introduction rates for watercraft-related AIS. Results show that at least 129 used and motorized watercraft are estimated to enter Alaska annually from dreissenid-infested regions with an estimated 47 reaching Alaska freshwater uninspected. These watercraft are entering Alaska through both land and marine pathways. The study points toward the need for a collaborative response among state, federal, tribal, and local agencies, and watercraft owners to devise effective prevention. Response opportunities include inspections and decontaminations at critical control points, and an increased outreach and education campaign for watercraft users. Policy implications for salmon fisheries are discussed should AIS become established in Alaska. Also, the costs, and the long-term sustainability of a prevention program are discussed.

EU Prioritizes On Sustainable Cruise Activity.