Breaux Act Newsflash - Independent Ocean Study to Visit the Gulf of Mexico
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Independent Ocean Study to Visit the Gulf of Mexico
Public hearing to focus on wetlands, fishing, oil and gas development,
and nutrient runoff (March 4, 2002) The Pew Oceans Commission will visit
New Orleans, La., on March 13 to 16, as part of the first independent
review of the policies needed to restore and protect the oceans in over
30 years. The 18-member Commission-which includes leaders from the
worlds of science, fishing, conservation, business, and government-will
hold a public hearing on Friday, March 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. In addition
to receiving public testimony, commissioners will hear from regional
experts on such issues as wetlands restoration, oil and gas development,
commercial and recreational fishing, and nutrient pollution.
"The health of coastal and marine environments is important to all
Americans-whether we live along the coast or in the heartland-and
nowhere is that more clear than in the Gulf of Mexico," said Leon E.
Panetta, former White House chief of staff and current chair of the Pew
Oceans Commission. "As we continue our review of ways to restore and
protect the oceans, we come to New Orleans to learn about the many
efforts underway to preserve wetlands, reduce polluted runoff, and
sustain fisheries."
The health of the Gulf of Mexico is vital the nation's economy and
natural heritage. The shrimp fishery is the nation's most valuable. The
Gulf supports a $20 billion tourism industry and produces 72 percent of
the nation's offshore oil and 97 percent of the natural gas.
Three-quarters of the migratory waterfowl in the U.S. depend on the
region's wetlands and five species of sea turtles live in the Gulf,
including the Kemp's ridley, the most endangered species of sea turtle
in the world. Forty-four percent of the continental U.S. drains in the
Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River basin. The Commission's visit
to New Orleans, combined with the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's
earlier visit to the region, brings national attention to the Gulf of
Mexico.
In addition to hosting a public hearing, commissioners will meet with
commercial recreational fishermen from across the region. Also, on
Thursday, March 7, the Aquarium of the Americas will join the four-part,
national education program KidScience, a collaboration with the Pew
Oceans Commission and the Hawaii Department of Education to inspire
schoolchildren from coast to coast to study the oceans.
The Pew Oceans Commission began its review of national ocean policies in
May 2000, and has held regional meetings throughout the country to study
issues such as fishing, marine pollution, coastal development,
introduced species, aquaculture, and governance. Commissioners have
visited fishing communities from Kodiak, Alaska, to Rockland, Maine.
They have toured habitat restoration sites in South Carolina and New
York, and met with tourism operators in Hawaii and farmers in Des
Moines. In addition to meeting with and listening to citizens,
commissioners are reviewing the latest scientific information, including
a series of science reports contracted by the commission. To date the
Commission has received science reports on marine pollution, introduced
species, and aquaculture with reports on coastal development, fishing,
and marine protected areas underway. The Commission will issue its final
recommendations to Congress, the Bush administration, and the nation
later this year.
"Protecting and sustaining the oceans for future generations requires
the commitment of the nation" said Panetta. "After all, the stewardship
of our lands-and oceans-is our common national bond."
For more information, contact Justin Kenney at 703-516-0605 or
kenneyj@pewoceans.org
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