Managing Marine Areas: Success Stories
From the management of a marine sanctuary amidst oil and gas platforms to responsible commercial fishing practices, panelists shared their experiences and involvement with the management of current marine areas, as well as what will be required for successful management of marine areas in the future.

Speakers Include:

The Honorable Sam Farr, Co-Chair, House Oceans Caucus

Moderator

• Dan Basta, Director, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program
  
  Panelists
  
 
• GP Schmahl, Manager, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
  ( Managing Marine Areas: Success Stories Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary)
  ( Managing Marine Areas: Success Stories Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary)
• Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Professor of Marine Biology, Oregon State University
• Richard Grathwohl, Charter Fishing/Flats Guide, Florida Keys
  ( PowerPoint Presentation)
  ( PowerPoint Presentation)
• Paul Holthus, Executive Director, Marine Aquarium Council
  ( The Ultimate Success: Sustainable, Self-Financing Marine Area Management)
  ( The Ultimate Success: Sustainable, Self-Financing Marine Area Management)

Restoring Habitat: Community Based Efforts
From recreational fishermen to corporate America, a strong commitment to restoring vital marine and coastal areas exists around the country. Panelists discussed the challenges their efforts face, and made recommendations for future restoration projects.

Speakers Include:

The Honorable Wayne Gilchrest, Chair, House Resources Sub Committee on Fisheries,
Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans

Moderator

• John Berry, Executive Director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
  
  Panelists
  
• Forbes Darby, Director, Special Projects, American Sportfishing Association
• Sally Yozell, Vice President, Battelle Memorial Institute
  ( Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership)
  ( Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership)
• Mark Wolf-Armstrong, President, Restore America’s Estuaries
  ( The Rings of Restoration)
  ( The Rings of Restoration)
• Chris Doley, Director, NOAA Restoration Center, NOAA Fisheries
  ( NOAA Restoration Center: Community-based Restoration Program)
  ( NOAA Restoration Center: Community-based Restoration Program)

Enjoying Marine Areas: Public Interaction
From divers to boaters, from cruise passengers to shore-side strollers, millions of people enjoy our nation’s marine and coastal waters each year. Panelists discussed their efforts to ensure that people interact with marine areas in an environmentally responsible manner.

Speakers Include:

The Honorable Neil Abercrombie, U.S. House of Representatives

Moderator

• Lori Arguelles, Executive Director, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Panelists

• Dan Basta, Director, National Marine Sanctuary Program
  ( NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program: Public Interaction)
  ( NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program: Public Interaction)
• Dr. Alex F. Brylske, Marine Conservation & Education Specialist,
  PADI Project Aware Foundation
  ( Enjoying Marine Areas: Public Interaction)
  ( Enjoying Marine Areas: Public Interaction)
• Cliff McCreedy, Marine Management Specialist, National Park Service
  ( Ocean Parks:Visitor Management and Empowerment)
  ( Ocean Parks:Visitor Management and Empowerment)
• Edmundo Larenas, Chairman, San Mateo Chapter of Surfrider Foundation
  ( Surfrider Foundation)
  ( Surfrider Foundation)

Underwater Aliens: Managing Invasive Species
From zebra mussels in the Great Lakes to lionfish off the coast of Florida, non-native species are being introduced in marine and freshwater environments at an alarming rate with major impacts to these habitats. Panelists discussed current and future efforts to identify and manage these underwater aliens.

Speakers Include:

The Honorable Bart Stupak,
U.S. House of Representatives

Moderator

• Dr. Robert R. Stickney, Director, Texas Sea Grant

Panelists

• Anson H. Hines, Assistant Director, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
  ( Biological Invasions of Marine Ecosystems)
  ( Biological Invasions of Marine Ecosystems)
• Erika Feller, Senior Policy Advisor, Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy
  ( Getting Our Feet Wet: Aquatic Invasions at Coastal and Marine Sites)
  ( Getting Our Feet Wet: Aquatic Invasions at Coastal and Marine Sites)
• Gary Matlock, NOAA Ocean Service
  ( NOAA’s Oceans and Coasts Invasive Species Challenge)
  ( NOAA’s Oceans and Coasts Invasive Species Challenge)