News Release

Scientists to present findings and participate in policy discussions at Ocean Science Forums

Meeting Announcement

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Conferences will provide information to Congressional caucus developing ocean policy

Washington, DC (July 7, 2000)-On July 17 and 18, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in conjunction with other organizations, will host two days of conferences to foster awareness of scientific findings and develop a policy agenda on ocean issues to meet national and international needs. The conferences will bring together experts from academia, the scientific community, Congress, government agencies and professional societies to explore issues important to both the general public and policymakers.

On July 17, AAAS, in conjunction with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Inc., will host International Ocean Science Day. Scientific experts will present the current understanding of issues in the three areas of fisheries, pollution and health, and gas hydrates. The House Oceans Caucus is considering the first two topics during the last quarter of the 106th Congress, and plans to study the last topic early in the 107th Congress. Speakers will provide multiple perspectives on the science of each subject.

On July 18, AAAS and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) will host a subsequent conference on Capitol Hill, entitled Oceans for the New Millennium - Developing and Implementing Ocean Policy. This forum will assist the caucus in developing a policy framework in the four areas of biology, pollution, national security and governance. Within each broad issue are targeted topics for discussion. Keynote speakers will include Robert Ballard, president of the Institute for Exploration, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, famed oceanographer and explorer.

The conferences will culminate in an evening reception and tour of the oceanographic military survey ship USNS Bruce C. Heezen in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Donald L. Pilling, will be providing a keynote speech at the reception. In addition, AAAS and AGU have extended invitations to Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush to speak in the evening.

Information is available on the AAAS website at: http://www.aaas.org/spp/cstc/oceans

WHAT:
Monday, July 17: International Ocean Science Day
Tuesday, July 18: Oceans for the New Millennium: Developing and Implementing Ocean Policy

WHEN:
July 17, 9:00-5:30
July 18, 8:00-5:30

WHERE:
July 17 -- Auditorium, American Association for the Advancement of Science 1200 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC

July 18 -- Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC

WHO:
July 17 -- Hosted by AAAS and supported by: IUCN and The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Inc.

July 18 -- Hosted by AAAS and the American Geophysical Union

Speakers for the July 17 conference will include:

  • Richard Getzinger, AAAS Director for International Programs
  • Jane Lubchenco, former AAAS President
  • Marita Koch-Weser, Director General, IUCN
  • Admiral James Watkins, President - Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE)
  • Daniel Pauly, University of British Columbia
  • James Wilson, University of Maine
  • Felicia Coleman, Florida State University
  • Peter Auster, National Undersea Research Laboratory
  • Bill Dillon, USGS
  • Tim Collett, USGS
  • Ian MacDonald, GERG, Texas A&M
  • Don Anderson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
  • Drew Harvell, Cornell University
  • Vandeweerd, Netherlands, United National Environmental Panel (UNEP)

Speakers and panelists for the July 18 forum will include:

  • The Honorable Jim Greenwood (R-PA), co-chair of House Oceans Caucus
  • The Honorable Lois Capps (D-CA)
  • Jane Lubchenco, Oregon State University, former president of the AAAS
  • Billy Causey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Elliott Norse, Marine Conservation Biology Institute
  • Vikki Spruill, SeaWeb
  • Zeke Grader, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
  • The Honorable Tom Allen (D-ME), co-chair, House Oceans Caucus
  • The Honorable Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD)
  • Michael Bothner, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Robert Wayland, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Donald Boesch, National Research Council
  • Louis "Sandy" Sage, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
  • The Honorable Curt Weldon (R-PA), co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus
  • The Honorable Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
  • John Knauss, American Geophysical Union
  • Richard Spinard, Oceanographer of the Navy
  • The Honorable Sam Farr (D-CA), co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus
  • The Honorable Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
  • Vice-Admiral Roger T. Rufe, Jr., Center for Marine Conservation
  • William Merrell, The Heinz Foundation
  • Judith Kildow, University of Southern California
  • Evan Richert, Maine State Planning Office
  • Viktor Sebek, Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea

###

AAAS, the world's largest federation of scientists, works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. With more than 138,000 members and 275 affiliated societies, AAAS conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. AAAS publishes the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science, as well as a number of electronic features on the World Wide Web.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To register for the conference, contact Laura Humphrey at 202-326-6431 or lhumphre@aaas.org

For more information, contact: Tiffany Ayers, 202-326-6781, tayers@aaas.org


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.