Dunnigan Emphasizes Need to Stay Ahead of the Curve on Coastal Issues

Linda Taylor
NOAA National Ocean Service
Assistant Administrator’s Office

December 22, 2008 — NOAA National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator John H. Dunnigan addressed city leaders, scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs at the first-ever Coastal Cities Summit, in St. Pete Beach, Fla. At the three-day summit, Dunnigan discussed NOAA coastal management initiatives in the context of sobering challenges. 

The event was hosted by the International Ocean Institute, a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations. St. Pete Beach, the Institute’s only location in the U.S., is one of 25 international IOI operational centers around the world.

While coasts make up only 17 percent of our nation’s land, more than half of the American population lives in these regions. Coastal areas face intense pressure from pollution and urbanization, while also being increasingly threatened by hurricanes, flooding, and invasive species.

Dunnigan’s remarks emphasized how rapidly coastal areas are changing, stressing the need to stay ahead of the curve to keep the nation's coasts safe, healthy, and productive.

Another highlight of the conference was the final presentation by renowned ocean explorer Robert Ballard. Ballard’s discussion on the undiscovered realms of the ocean floor was remarkable and held the audience on the edge of their seats.

One fact that he shared that evening was that his discovery of the Titanic was purely by chance. He was working with the Navy to uncover two nuclear submarines lost at sea, and fortunately, the Titanic was directly in between the other two wrecks. The government recently declassified this information, so Ballard was able to share the drama behind keeping the media’s attention focused on the Titanic (thus keeping other countries from catching on to his true mission).