High Seas, Hidden Treasures: Protecting the Thermal Dome in the Eastern Tropical Pacific from Maritime Traffic
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Morse B105Morse Building
426 Van Buren St
Monterey, CA 93940 View in Campus Map
Free
Open to the Public
The Thermal Dome of the Easter Tropical Pacific is one of the ocean’s most precious and vulnerable regions.
High Seas, Hidden Treasures: Protecting the Thermal Dome in the Eastern Tropical Pacific from Maritime Traffic
Speaker: Richard Castillo, Climate Resilience and Adaptation Manager, Regeneración Pajaro Valley
Thursday, November 13, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm Pacific Time
In-person event (recorded, but not livestreamed)
Morse Building, room B105
426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA 93940
About the Topic
The Thermal Dome in the Eastern Tropical Pacific is a unique and highly productive ocean region that supports rich marine life but faces increasing threats from intense international shipping traffic. Unlike most marine areas, the Dome is dynamic—shifting between the high seas and the waters of Central American nations—making governance a complex challenge. This talk explores how international policy tools can protect this moving ocean refuge, highlighting the powerful potential of designating the area as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). Join Richard as he navigates the complex challenges and promising solutions to safeguard one of the ocean’s most precious and vulnerable regions.
About the Speaker
Richard holds a master’s degree in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a law degree (BA) from the University of Costa Rica. Fluent in English and Spanish, Richard specializes in environmental policy research and stakeholder engagement, drawing on international experience in coastal communities and marine policy. He brings a global perspective and strong commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and resilience. Currently. Richard works as Climate Resilience and Adaptation Manager at Regeneración, where he collaborates on climate justice initiatives in California’s Pajaro Valley and California Central Coast.
Recommended Reading
- An Analysis of Policy Options Available to the International Maritime Organization to Protect the Costa Rica Thermal Dome: Building the Case for a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, by Richard Castillo Rodríguez„ Jorge Jim´enez, Katherine Arroyo Arce, Katie R. Thompson, in the journal Marine Policy 148 (2023) 105375
Location: Morse Building, Room B105
The Morse Building is located at 426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, on the campus of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The Morse building usually has flags hanging from it, and is located next to the MIIS Our Green Thumb garden. B105 is located toward the back of the building on the first floor. There is a wheelchair lift in the Holland courtyard, and stairs can be avoided by circling the back of the Holland Center and back to Morse. Restrooms are located in the Holland Center. View the campus map.
Parking
Parking is available in any Middlebury Institute campus lot after 5 p.m., no parking permit required, no fee. View the campus map. (be sure to not confuse city lots with campus lots—city lots do charge a fee). Free parking is also available on the street (time limits on surrounding streets end at 6 p.m.).
About the Host
The Center for the Blue Economy is a research center at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, that provides economic and policy analysis to support the development of a robust and equitable blue economy for the 21st century. The Center uses the World Bank’s definition of the Blue Economy: the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. We must maintain ocean health to maintain human health, economic health, and the health of the planet. Climate change is linked, inextricably, to a healthy ocean. Consider joining our movement for Ocean Climate Action Now. Consider joining our Center for the Blue Economy Newsletter List (3-4x per year by email).
Gratitude to Our Sponsors
We thank the Loker Hicks Foundation and the Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation our sponsors.
Questions
Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-4183.