The International Pacific Marine Educators Network

The International Pacific Marine Educators Network (IPMEN) is a network of marine educators whose shared vision is to nurture a fuller understanding of the ocean’s value, leading to informed, responsible and creative decisions that conserve and restore the integrity of the ocean’s ecosystems in the Pacific. The mission of IPMEN is to foster collaborative relationships that will create the resources, programs, training and leadership necessary to build ocean literacy at every level of society in the Pacific region. Since its inception in Hawaii in 2007, IPMEN has held biennial conferences in Australia (2008), Fiji (2010) and Chile (2012).

Marine educators who share the IPMEN vision and goal are invited to the IPMEN 2014 conference to be held in Japan. The week-long conference will begin in Tokyo and then move to Iwate, the area devastated by the March 11, 2011, tsunami.

Bringing hope and pride to the devastated area is an important aspect of the conference. The people are faced with depopulation and a declining fishing industry. They have been encouraged to rebuild their homeland through their traditional resilience but are at a loss as to how to do this. Through networking with the local integrated coastal manage- ment system, which includes not only fishermen and industry but also housewives and school children, it is hoped that the IPMEN delegates will be able to help advance this local agenda while furthering IPMEN’s mission.”