Pew Oceans Commission News

On April 23, 2012, Dr. Stephen M. Coan delivered remarks entitled “The Future of Our Ocean”, part of the Open VISIONS Forum Lecture Series and presented at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. Following is the text of his speech. Water sustains life on Earth, and the health of our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and marshlands, which cover 70% of the planet’s surface, is critically important to global economic and human health. Imagine this vast environment and what it could mean for us if we were able to better harvest food…

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation to help protect the world's oceans and the from damage caused by cruise ship pollution. The legislation, known as the Clean Cruise Ship Act, raises current pollution control standards by creating coastal zones in which cruise ships are prohibited from dumping waste, strengthening standards for waste treatment, and increasing surveillance to ensure cruise ship compliance with anti-pollution laws. Durbin says these measures are needed to keep pace with the challenges posed by today's cruise ship industry, whose fleets include larger and larger vessels each year. "In one week, a large cruise ship generates 500…

California Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman and EPA Secretary Terry Tamminen announced the release of the draft plan, California Ocean Resources Management: A Strategy for Action Plan prepared in response to Governor Schwarzenegger's June 4, 2004 directive for California to renew its longstanding commitment to protect and manage its ocean and coastal resources. Both the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission have identified an emerging national crisis situation regarding this nation’s ocean and coastal resources. “Today we are releasing a draft Action Plan for public review which suggests a bold new approach to protecting and managing California’s ocean and coastal resources,” said Secretary Chrisman.

Fish Expo and WorkBoat Northwest Trade Show is slated to deliver its standard level of excellence in exhibitors and conference topics, bringing the most complete resources for commercial fishing to the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, November 15-17. Leon E. Panetta, Pew Oceans Commission chairman, is invited to deliver the keynote address and field questions on fisheries and environmental issues. Dr. Rebecca Lent, the newly appointed Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations' National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), is also scheduled to deliver a keynote to address current efforts to streamline the regulatory processes and improve relations between the agency, its constituents and the general public.