The press release states that Sherman was recognized for his work on large marine ecosystems. He will share the award with Costa Rican activist Randall Arauz in a ceremony in Göteborg, Sweden on November 17. Sherman is a director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Marine Ecosystems Studies and of the NOAA Fisheries Narragansett, R.I., Laboratory, developed and promoted the concept of large marine ecosystems (LMEs), which creates natural units that include socioeconomic factors and ecological considerations.
According to the award committee Ken Sherman’s LME model is exceptional because it’s built on a holistic view with a system perspective. It also noted that Sherman has worked tirelessly for decades, and become more and more successful in generating acceptance for the concept among scientists and politicians.
LME is a well concept now and has a global network of 64 LME areas. The concept of LMEs was pioneered by Sherman and University of Rhode Island colleague Lewis Alexander in the 1980s as a way to manage large areas of the ocean by identifying distinct ecosystems based on topography, water depths and currents, productivity and food chain interactions.
Sherman said that more than 100 developing countries are implementing LME projects worldwide. International LME projects are making significant progress in recovering depleted fish stocks, improving degraded habitats, reducing pollution and nutrient over-enrichment, and conserving biodiversity. He added that these efforts are also helping countries adopt ecosystem management policies to adapt to climate change.
