Dear GEM Collaborators,
We hope this email finds you in good health and high spirits. We are writing to provide you with a comprehensive update on the progress of the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme.
Over the past four months, our GEM Programme has achieved significant milestones. Firstly, we successfully organized a satellite event titled "International Workshop on Co-design of the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme" during the Ocean Decade Week in Barcelona, Spain, from April 8th to 12th, 2024. Our latest research accomplishments were prominently showcased at the "Voyaging Through the Vast Seas: China's Maritime Technology and Culture Exhibition" on April 9th, held at the Barcelona Maritime Museum. To learn more about these events, please follow the link below:
SKLMP Members participated in the 2nd United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Conference (globalestuaries.org)
During the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference & 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 22nd to 25th, 2024, we organized a scientific session on "Marine Chemical Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC)" and hosted a thematic workshop on the GEM programme at the Ocean Decade Symposium. For further details, kindly refer to the link below:
GEM Team Members attended the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference & 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference (globalestuaries.org)
During these workshops, we presented the progress made in the implementation of the first phase of the GEM Programme and outlined the prospects for the second phase. The workshops also facilitated discussions on global estuarine pollution solutions, based on the vision of collaborative work with scientists worldwide. In response to requests from collaborators who were unable to attend, we have uploaded the workshop records on the GEM website (Global Estuaries Monitoring | The GEM Programme). You can access them through the following link or by visiting the Resources-Meetings Section on our website.
We are thrilled to share with you the most exciting progress achieved during the first phase of the GEM Programme. As of now, our sampling campaign is on the verge of success. We have received samples from 90 estuaries worldwide, with 25 of them completing at least two rounds of sampling in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Our GEM network continues to expand, with 142 nominated collaborators from 55 different countries/regions across the globe. We are delighted to witness the growing interest and enthusiasm of like-minded partners who wish to join us.
However, we have noticed that although we have received a significant number of samples, there are still some registered partners who have not implemented their sampling plans. We kindly remind everyone that our first phase of the sampling campaign will officially conclude by the end of this year. This means that we may not accept new sampling proposals after the end of September. Allow us to reiterate the specific steps we need to take after registering the estuaries to ensure the accurate completion of our cooperation tasks.
Step 1
Please read through the following four attachments, (1) Sampling protocol, (2) Sampling labels, (3) Data log for the sampling, and (4) Example data log, which will guide you through the sampling process. For tutorial videos, please visit our website: https://www.globalestuaries.org/resources.
Step 2
Please propose your sampling information in this questionnaire: https://cityuhk.questionpro.com/t/AYCicZy2Qb. We will contact you in batches to confirm and finalize the sampling location and arrange the delivery.
Step 3
After the sampling, please visit the second questionnaire and upload your data log: https://cityuhk.questionpro.com/t/AYCicZy2UC. Additionally, kindly notify us via globalestuaries.gem@gmail.com and confirm the delivery arrangement.
We would like to emphasize that it is preferable to select four locations within each estuary, as follows: A) upstream of the river (above urban area); B) downstream of the river (passing through urban area); C) inner estuary, and D) outer estuary.
We expect to share our first phase analysis and research outcomes with all partners in 2025.
Call for Videos:
We are excited to announce that the next capacity building workshop will take place at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2024 in Xiamen, China, in November. As part of this workshop, we plan to showcase an exquisite documentary featuring recordings from our first phase collaborators. Hence, if you have any videos or team work photos captured during the sampling process, please send them directly to us via email (globalestuaries.gem@gmail.com) before June 30th, ensuring a high resolution. We also welcome you to record videos and share your thoughts or suggestions about participating in our GEM Programme. Please note that the deadline for receiving videos or photos is June 30th!!!
Finally, we extend our best wishes for your scientific research endeavors. Should you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
Best regards,
Dr. Chong Chen
Manager of the GEM Programme
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