Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005 Summary Report

When:	June 7 - 9
Where:	Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
What:	A substantive focus on key ocean issues including: - Predicting and Preparing for Natural Disasters - Restoring Our Nations Wetlands - Feeding the Nation: The Aquaculture Alternative - Oceans and Human Health: A Prescription for the Future - Moving America: Ensuring Safe Marine Transportation
Who:	Members of Congress and their staff, committee staff, leaders from Industry and Academia, experts from non-profit organizations and other key ocean conservation individuals concerned with oceans issues.

Tuesday, June 7  Reserve Officers Association Building  One Constitution Ave, N.E.  Congressional Hall of Honor  5th Floor
2:00pm – 2:45pm	Opening Plenary Introductory Remarks The Honorable Jim Saxton, Co-Chair, House Oceans Caucus ( Remarks) Keynote Speaker Jim Connaughton, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality ( Remarks)
3:00pm – 5:00pm	Predicting and Preparing for Natural Disasters Panelists discussed technological investments and other tools necessary to help communities predict and prepare for natural disasters such as tsunamis. Panelist Information and Presentations This session was sponsored by HARRIS Corporation Maritime Communication Services.

Wednesday, June 8  Reserve Officers Association Building  One Constitution Ave, N.E.  Congressional Hall of Honor  5th Floor
9:30am – 11:30am	Restoring Our Nation’s Wetlands Panelists discussed a variety of innovative ongoing efforts to restore critical wetlands habitat, a vital link to ocean health. Panelist Information and Presentations This session was sponsored by Shell.
12:00pm – 1:30pm	Keynote Luncheon Census of Marine Life Luncheon Plenary Panelists provided an update on the Census of Marine Life, a multi-national effort to provide an assessment of all marine creatures. Panelist Information This Luncheon was co-hosted by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE). Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room SD-106
2:00pm – 4:00pm	Feeding the Nation: The Aquaculture Alternative Panelists discussed various aspects of the aquaculture movement, from open cage farming to re-circulating technologies for both fish and corals. Panelist Information and Presentations
10:00am – 3:00pm	Ocean Fair This forum featured exhibits focused on ocean and coastal resources from a wide range of participants including, government agencies, non-profits, industry and academia. Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room SD-106

Thursday, June 9  Reserve Officers Association Building  One Constitution Ave, N.E.  Congressional Hall of Honor  5th Floor
8:15am – 9:15am	OAR Roundtable Breakfast The Future of Research in NOAA This forum focused on NOAA’s five-year research plan and give insights into exciting scientific research now and for the future, including a look into the 20-year research vision for NOAA. Panelist Information
9:30am – 11:30am	Oceans and Human Health: A Prescription for the Future Panelists discussed the many connections between human health and healthy oceans, from seafood safety to marine microbes. Panelist Information and Presentations
12:00pm – 1:30pm	Luncheon: Filmmakers Forum Panelists discussed how films and other forms of mass media can influence the public’s awareness of ocean and marine issues. Panelist Information This Luncheon was sponsored by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. Cannon House Office Building, Cannon Caucus Room
2:00pm – 4:00pm	Moving America: Ensuring Safe Marine Transportation Panelists discussed measures to increase safe maritime transportation from mapping, to navigation, to increasing security in ports and harbors. Panelist Information and Presentations

Additional Events  Monday, June 6
	Celebration of Our Coasts and Oceans The Coastal America Federal Partnership hosted a special “Celebration of Our Coasts and Oceans” event during Oceans Week 2005.
2:00pm - 6:00pm	Panelists discussed the President’s Ocean Action Plan and progress in implementing this blueprint for action. Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 106 Panelist Information
6:00pm - 8:00pm	Following the afternoon discussion, the Senator John H. Chafee Coastal Stewardship Award was presented to Admiral James D. Watkins for outstanding leadership in addressing the issues facing our Nation’s Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes during a special evening reception. For more information about the events, contact Coastal America (202) 401-9928. Russell Senate Office Building Room 325 Reception Speakers

Review CHOW 2004 Panels, Photos, Exhibitors and more

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s Leadership Awards Dinner

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s third annual Leadership Awards Dinner was Tuesday, June 7th, at the Ronald Reagan Building. During this year’s tribute dinner, NMSF honored Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Congressman Vernon Ehlers of Michigan, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland who received the NMSF Leadership Award. Former U.S. Senator and Governor of Connecticut Lowell Weicker received the first ever NMSF Lifetime Achievement Award. Each received awards for recognition of their leadership and longstanding commitment to protecting our ocean and coastal resources. In addition, Mr. Kimokeo Kapahulehua of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was presented the 2005 Volunteer of the Year Award at the dinner.

Special Thanks to

Trust for America’s Health

| Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005 Photo Gallery |

| 2005 Leadership Awards Dinner Photo Gallery |

| 2004 CHOW Summary (pdf) |