Sea Women Expeditions

Sea Women Expeditions' ocean research and snorkel expeditions to Arctic Norway (2022) and the Sea of the Hebrides (2023) are included in the UN Ocean Decade's more than 1,200 endorsed actions and activities from hundreds of partners from all sectors and from across the globe, the biggest ocean science movement ever undertaken. Behind each of these #OceanDecade numbers, Sea Women's team members, partners and sponsors have played a role in exploring, researching, and safeguarding our ocean. #oceandecade24 #seawomen #seawomenexpeditions #womeninSTEM #womeninSTEAM #indigenouswomen #gender #diversity #equity #inclusion #changetheratio #climate #oceans #research #exploration #arctic

UK-based Emma Khan of Emma Khan Photography participated in Sea Women Expeditions' ocean research and snorkel expeditions to Arctic Norway (2022) and Scotland's Sea of the Hebrides (2023). Emma's photographs of polar regions and waters have a surreal quality. Check out her stunning images, which are available for purchase!

Dr Ellen Johannesen, who recently completed her PhD at World Maritime University (WMU), joined the research vessel Oceanograf cruise for a period of one week to further her gender equality at sea research and provided a presentation during the visit entitled “BaltArctic Cruise - Investigation of the gendered experiences of individuals working and living at sea”. While on the R/V Oceanograf, Dr Johannesen, an alumna of Sea Women Expeditions' 2022 leadership program and ocean research and winter snorkel expedition to Arctic Norway, carried out an ethnographic study focused on understanding the culture and practice of the researchers on ship. “We can’t change our relationship with the ocean if we don’t address some of the systemic biases that exist in our discipline. A lot of research shows that the more diversity you have in your scientific team, the more innovation you’re going to have. I think that’s something we should strive for in marine science, because we need to have many perspectives represented to reflect the diversity of the society we live in”, said Dr Johannesen. Dr Johanessen’s PhD dissertation is entitled "Gender Inequality in the Practice of International Marine Science. Case Study on the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea”. It looks at the institutional aspects of gender inequality, what leads to gender equality, and how marine science institutions can change to make them more equal. Dr Johanessen's studies were conducted within the WMU Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Programme. With support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada, the purpose of the Empowering Women research programme is to advance an alternative, inclusive model for the sustainable governance of ocean spaces and maritime activities that duly takes into account the need to ensure effective gender equality and the empowerment of women at all levels in order to ensure the sustainable management of the global ocean. https://lnkd.in/diyKB-MQ #women #seawomen #seawomenexpeditions #oceans #oceandecade #oceanresearch #oceanexploration #arctic #arcticocean #gender #equity #inclusion UN Ocean Decade UN Women Women in Ocean Science Women in Polar Science Arctic Council

This beautiful image was captured during Sea Women Expeditions' 2018 dive and snorkel expedition to Western Greenland and Nunavut, Canada. We observed this mother polar bear and her two cubs trailing behind her at a tidewater glacier, offshore Devon Island in the Northwest Passage. When the mother polar bear jumped onto a piece of floating ice, we were delighted to discover that she had a seal in her mouth. We watched, from a very respectful distance in a zodiac, as the family had a good meal together. Photo courtesy of Seawomen - Becky Kagan Schott, the principal underwater videographer for Sea Women Expeditions (formerly Sedna Epic Expedition) in 2018. #polarbear #arctic #arcticocean #northwestpasage #nunavut #canada #seawomen #seawomenexpeditions #diversity #equity #inclusion UN Ocean Decade UN Women Adventure Canada Santi Diving Ltd. NAUI Worldwide Halcyon Dive Systems Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland PADI SSI Scuba Schools International WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME INC The Royal Canadian Geographical Society Canadian Geographic The Explorers Club Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) / Savoir polaire Canada (POLAIRE) Arctic Research Foundation Arctic Council

Art is a powerful way to connect with the ocean. At Sea Women Expeditions, we incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programming during our ocean research and dive & snorkel expeditions to polar regions. When all of these disciplines are interconnected, we are stronger... #OceanDecade #oceans #oceanresearch #womeninSTEAM #STEAM

Participating in Sea Women Expeditions 2022 was a critical part of my PhD journey. I'm grateful for the experience & opportunity to be part of an incredible global network of women & gender diverse people contributing to transformative change for the #OceanDecade

We'd like to congratulate Sea Women alumna Ellen Johannesen on her contributions to the Empowering Women for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development project, which involved developing a gender equality strategy plan and Ellen successfully defending her PhD at the World Maritime University (Yay!). Congrats, as well, to Sea Women alumna Carol Cotton Blickenstorfer whose photo from Sea Women Expeditions' 2022 ocean research and winter snorkel expedition and women’s leadership program to Arctic Norway was included in the gender equality strategy plan (see project summary and link below): Towards gender equality in ocean science and ocean governance: Gender equality strategy and action plan for ocean-related institutions The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), hereinafter ‘the Ocean Decade’, seeks to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean. To fulfil the Decade’s mission, barriers to achieving gender, geographic, institutional, discipline and generational balance will need to be systematically identified and dismantled if no one is to be left behind. In this regard, the World Maritime University and Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada have been implementing the Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Programme (the Programme), with the purpose of advancing an alternative, inclusive model to promote gender equality, and the empowerment of women in the sustainable management of the global ocean. A key output of the Programme is the development of a framework Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan for ocean-related international institutions, which makes practical and policy relevant recommendations for achieving gender equality in ocean science and science-dependent ocean governance systems in the context of the Ocean Decade. The goal of the Strategy is to promote gender equality as a central pillar in the secretariats of ocean-related intergovernmental organizations, and potentially other types of organizations, which will guide Member States and enhance synergies and collaboration for transformative actions. To achieve this, gender mainstreaming targets and goals are an important instrument for increasing ocean sustainability and gender equality. https://lnkd.in/gjFUvK_U #UNwomen #women #seawomen #womeninSTEM #womeninscience #IndigenousWomen #equality #diversity #equity #inclusion #oceandecade #oceans #oceanresearch #sustainability #seawomenexpeditions #arctic UN Ocean Decade Polar Research Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) / Savoir polaire Canada (POLAIRE) Arctic Research Foundation Arctic Council Save The Duck Garmin WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME INC Women in Polar Science Women in Ocean Science Society of Woman Geographers The Explorers Club NAUI Worldwide PADI SSI Scuba Schools International

Our sea women encountered sea butterflies (sea snails without shells) during our two dive and snorkel expeditions off the west coast of Greenland. Limacina helicina, a polar sea butterfly species, is a keystone species of mesozooplankton in Arctic pelagic ecosystems. #SundaySpecies #OceanDecade #oceans #oceanresrarch #arctic #arcticocean #biodiversity #sundayspecies #seawomen #scubadiving #snorkeling #seawomenexpeditions UN Women UN Ocean Decade Women in Polar Science Women in Ocean Science WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME INC PADI NAUI Worldwide SSI Scuba Schools International The Explorers Club Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) / Savoir polaire Canada (POLAIRE) Arctic Council

The governments of 17 First Nations, Canada, and British Columbia signed agreement to secure the future of the Great Bear Sea, also known as the Northern Shelf Bioregion. The initiative is supported by a $335-million endowment that will establish a network of marine protected areas and build a sustainable economy across 10 million hectares of ocean. First Nations in coastal British Columbia (B.C.) estimate that the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence agreement will create 3,000 jobs and generate $750 million in investment over the next 20 years by building up industries such as sustainable fisheries and renewable energy — supported by an investment of $335 million. Part of Canada’s previously announced $800-million commitment to invest in long-term funding for Indigenous-led conservation, the agreement includes 17 First Nations, the B.C. and federal governments, and investors. The Great Bear Sea, also called the Northern Shelf Bioregion, is adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest, a largely protected area on the central coast of B.C. that covers 6.4 million hectares. Heiltsuk Chief Councillor and president of Coastal First Nations K`áwáziɫ (Marilyn Slett) said she’s excited some of the funding will go towards teaching Heiltsuk youth about the land and waters. The investment is intended to bolster First Nations stewardship over their waters. “It’s being led by our communities, our communities are doing the work,” Slett said in an interview. “This is something that we’re really proud of.” “Today’s announcement is an important step in our governments’ efforts to collaborate on and advance Indigenous-led projects that will protect the health of our marine ecosystems for future generations. We will continue to work together with Indigenous and coastal communities from coast to coast to coast to ensure Canada’s marine and coastal areas remain healthy, clean and safe,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement. As part of the agreement, Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative and Nanwakolas Council, two organizations that bring together member nations for collaboration, will provide administrative support, Coastal First Nations chief executive officer Christine Smith-Martin said. Coast Funds, an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization, will manage the funds. For Smith-Martin, the funding comes at a critical moment for the marine environment. “We’re seeing this alarming decline of fish and wildlife and habitat, such as kelp forests. We’re losing key species of fish and shellfish such as crawfish, eulachon and abalone. Marine mammals such as whales in our communities are showing up on the shore, and a lot more than we would have anticipated, and dolphins and sea otters,” Smith-Martin said in an interview. “We have an opportunity right now to make a difference.” https://lnkd.in/g5J6_Em2 #canada #britishcolumbia #firstnations #oceans #renewableenergy #conservation #marineprotectedareas #sustainability

Brava! Congratulations to Sea Women Expeditions' founder and leader, Susan R. Eaton, P.Geol., P.Geoph., on being elected to the Society of Woman Geographers, an organization founded in 1925 with headquarters in Washington, DC. The Society of Women Geographers (SWG) is a global community created to foster meaningful and inclusive connections, share knowledge, encourage research and exploration, and provide mentorship and support for a diverse network of bold, woman-identifying researchers, scientists, explorers, and change-makers. Author and polar explorer Joanna Kafarowski nominated Susan to join the Society of Women Geographers. During Sea Women's leadership ocean research and winter snorkel expedition to Arctic Norway in November-December 2022, Joanna delivered an exciting lecture about women who pioneered polar exploration. The Society of Women Geographers has approximately 500 members across the U.S. and in 28 countries, who include anthropologists, journalists, archaeologists, oceanographers, diplomats, explorers, and many other professions. The SWG supports the limitless potential and curiosity of woman-identifying scientists, artists, explorers, and advocates as they work to create positive impacts in the stewardship, study, and exploration of human culture and the natural world. Seeking to contribute to a more inclusive and intentional geographic field, the SWG defines geography as follows: Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the natural environment, and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time. #geography #womeningeography #women #seawomen #seawomenexpeditions #UNwomen #womeninSTEM #womensupportingwomen #womeninspiringwomen #swg #societyofwomengeographers The Royal Canadian Geographical Society Canadian Geographic The Explorers Club WINGS WorldQuest WOMEN DIVERS HALL OF FAME INC UN Women UN Ocean Decade Women in Polar Science