NOAA Makes A Splash On Capitol Hill
Laurel Bryant, National Marine Fisheries Service
Rochelle Plutchak, Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research
June 22, 2009 — Capitol Hill was feeling quite blue on June 9, but in a good way. It was the kick off of the annual Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW). This three-day event, hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, is dedicated to educating and spreading awareness about ocean science and policy.
With this year’s theme of The Blue Economy, attendees learned about the critical role the ocean plays in the national and global economies.
As a primary sponsor of CHOW, NOAA organized a “One NOAA” booth reflective of all contributing and participating line offices and programs playing a role in the science, service and stewardship responsibilities of the agency. Pictured from left are: Bill Zahner (NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries), Brady Phillips (NOS Marine Sanctuaries), and Steve Meyers (NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries). Photo credit: Kate Naughten, NOAA Aquaculture Program.
“For too long now people have considered a healthy economy to be something that exists, at least in some degree, at the expense of a healthy environment," said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco in her keynote remarks to a packed house of NOAA stakeholders, congressional members and staff. “Today we realize that a healthy environment is a fundamental requirement for a healthy economy.”
Setting the tone and focus for the week, Dr. Lubchenco underscored the importance of ecosystem-based management for the long-term stewardship of ocean resources, as well as the need for a more holistic understanding of the interactions across the different sectors of ocean use.
Senators and members of Congress were also on hand to introduce and participate in several noteworthy panel discussions, in addition to stakeholders, interest groups and congressional staff.
NOAA’s Chief Science Advisor for Fisheries, Steve Murawski, moderated a panel discussion on “Feeding a Nation: The Role of Fisheries and Aquaculture,” which explored the economic contributions of fisheries and the increased economic and ecological values yet to be realized by fully rebuilt fisheries and the establishment of a robust marine aquaculture industry.
“This year's focus on the blue economy is particularly relevant for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, as we move forward to end overfishing in our country by 2010, as mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act,” said Murawski. “Sustaining fish populations that fisheries depend upon is the primary, but not the only factor that will ensure good, high-paying jobs in the fisheries and domestic aquaculture sectors of our economy.”
Richard W. Spinrad, assistant administrator for NOAA Research, led a panel on “Tools and Technology: Exploring and Creating an Ocean Infrastructure,” which highlighted the work of NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. Other panels addressed the ocean’s role in comprehensive energy production, healthcare and drug production; links between the ocean and agriculture; and the status of the Coral Triangle Initiative, a multinational effort to protect the coastal resources of Southeast Asia.
The conference concluded with an in-depth discussion on marine spatial planning, including related initiatives in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Topics related to NOAA’s role in developing an overall ocean policy and adequate funding levels emerged as items for congressional activity and further examination.
To learn more about CHOW panels and speakers, please visit the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation website at www.nmsfocean.org.