Navigating the Brave New World of Communicating Science Online (and Why It Is Worth the Journey)

Some of the most serious issues facing the world today are scientific in nature (climate change, overfishing, habitat loss, sustainable energy) and the need to engage and educate the voting public's understanding and appreciation of science is more important than ever.  Online social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and webinars, have proven to be powerful means to communicate science and conservation messages. Increasingly research laboratories, scientists, government agencies, and NGOS’s are using these means to broaden interest, disseminate information, drive campaigns, and promote peer-reviewed publications.  This talk will examine the benefits and techniques of how social media and online tools are used within the fisheries community and how they provide an opportunity to advocate and educate fisheries research and conservation topics to a variety of stakeholder audiences.