[mynd 1 h]Þriðjudaginn 30. apríl fara fram tvær meistaraprófskynningar við meistaranámið í haf- og strandsvæðastjórnun við Háskólasetur Vestfjarða. Báðar kynningarnar fjalla um íslensk málefni. Annarsvegar fjallar Anna-Therese Kienitz um rusl við strendur friðlandsins á Hornströndum, uppruna þess, afleiðingar og aðgerðir til að bregðast við því. Hinsvegar fjallar Daniel Metzger um framtíð orkumála á Íslandi með tilliti til áhættuþátta og tækifæra á Drekasvæðinu. Kynningarnar fara fram á ensku í gegnum Skype og eru opnar öllum áhugasömum. Sjá nánari upplýsingar um verkefnin í úrdráttum hér að neðan.

Anna-Therese Kientiz kynnir lokaritgerð sína í hádeginu og hefst kynningin kl. 12.10. Lokaritgerðin ber titilinn Marine Debris in the Coastal Environment of Iceland´s Nature Reserve, Hornstrandir: Sources, Consequences and Prevention Measures. Leiðbeinandi verkefnisins er dr. Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir verkefnastjóri hjá Matís en prófdómari er dr. Helgi Jensson, aðalráðgjafi hjá Umhverfisstofnun í Reykjavík.

Daniel Metzger kynnir lokaritgerð sína kl. 16.00 en hún ber titilinn Iceland's Energy Future: Identifying and Analyzing the Risks and Opportunities Presented by the Dreki Area. Leiðbeinandi er dr. Benedict Colombi, lektor við Arizona Háskóla í Bandaríkjunum, en prófdómari er Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir, doktorskandídat og sviðsstjóri félagsvísindasviðs við Háskólann á Bifröst.
[mynd 2 h]
Kl. 12.10, Anna-Therese Kienitz
Marine Debris in the Coastal Environment of Iceland´s Nature Reserve, Hornstrandir: Sources, Consequences and Prevention Measures

Úrdráttur
Marine debris is a growing problem, which adversely affects ecosystems and economies world-wide. Studies based on a standardized approach to examine the quantity of marine debris are lacking at many locations, including Iceland. In the present study, 26 transects were established on six different bays in the north, west and south of the nature reserve Hornstrandir in Iceland, following the standardized approach developed by the OSPAR Commission. Results showed that 95.4% of all debris items consisted of plastic. On average, 104 debris items were found in 100 x 10 m transects with an average weight of 10.4 kg. Based on those findings it was calculated that approximately 32,600 litter items, having a weight of approximately 4300 kg are polluting the north, south and west of the nature reserve Hornstrandir. Indicator items were used to trace industrial origins of debris, identifying the fishing industry as the main contributor to the pollution. Labels and types of fishing gear found, indicated that the major proportion of marine debris was coming from Icelandic industries. Management recommendations are based on the analysis of effective management practices in other countries and the circumstances in Iceland. As a result, enforcement of the use of biodegradable fishing gear is seen as the best long-term solution. Additional measures like gear marking and deposit systems, improvement of port reception facilities, education and beach cleanups are also recommended.

Kl. 16.00, Daniel Metzger
Iceland's Energy Future: Identifying and Analyzing the Risks and Opportunities Presented by the Dreki Area

Úrdráttur
Exploration of oil and gas reserves on Iceland's continental shelf is currently underway, particularly concentrated in the Northeast's Dreki area. This study systematically analyzes ecological, economic and legislative baselines in order to present managers with a nuanced understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with developing the area. This study uses document analysis and stakeholder interviews to integrate original ethnographic data with existing secondary literature. Respondents identify what they view as the most important and divisive questions concerning exploiting the Dreki area's resources. Discussions of the area reveal broader concerns regarding Iceland's future as a producer of non-renewable energy, perceived regional inequities within the nation, and the impact of the international community on decision-making within Iceland.