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Meeting Information: Task Statement
YEAR OF THE OCEAN NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING
The oceans are increasingly threatened by human activity. Little understood or appreciated, however is the wealth of ways the oceans contribute to economic health, national security and quality of life. The United Nations has declared 1998 to be the International Year of the Ocean (IYO) to raise awareness of the oceans and the threats they face. This will be a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about and celebrate what has been accomplished in understanding and managing the sea and enhancing its exploration, utilization and conservation.
A national stakeholders’ meeting is planned to foster interest, and to channel the attention towards specific goals to address the many threats to the oceans, and to capitalize on opportunities to explore, utilize and conserve the sea. The national Stakeholders’ Meeting is being organized jointly by The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment and the Federal Government. The Heinz Center is a non-profit institution dedicated to improving the scientific and economic foundation of environmental policy. The Heinz Center’s federal partner is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and fourteen other federal agencies are involved as well.
The IYO National Stakeholders’ Meeting will bring together the four sectors of government, industry, environmental groups and academia to examine the nation’s stake in the oceans from the standpoint of what is working well and what isn’t, and to identify opportunities and barriers. A Steering Group will be appointed, which will include government representatives, industry leaders, prominent environmental advocates, and leading academic experts. The Steering Group will:
oversee the preparation of a series of background papers on ocean themes and issues, including: maritime transportation; national security; living resources of the sea; ocean energy and mineral resources; marine environmental quality; marine recreation and tourism; and marine weather, climate and natural hazards. Ocean research, education and explorations, and the adequacy of the legal and management frameworks will also be addressed.
convene the national meeting and foster dialogue among the diverse stakeholders.
publish and disseminate a report with findings that documents the project, and that brings substance and focus to national IYO activities. These activities will be conducted over a six month period and will be completed early in 1998.
revised August 1, 1997
Questions or comments
Website:yoto98admin@www.yoto98.noaa.gov
YOTO meeting: muriel.cole@noaa.govSite updated 01/15/98