Washington, DC – Today the State Department will open its “Our Ocean” Conference, a two-day event bringing together foreign leaders, ocean advocates, marine scientists and others to examine the threats facing our oceans globally and discuss proactive solutions. U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus, will attend both days of the conference. On Tuesday he will participate in a discussion with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) about efforts to stop illegal pirate fishing and other bipartisan priorities for the Senate Oceans Caucus.
“For the people of my state and in coastal communities around the world, our economy is tied directly to the health of our oceans,” said Whitehouse. “I thank Secretary Kerry for convening the Our Ocean Conference, and focusing on issues affecting coastal communities that must be addressed globally. From ocean acidification to illegal pirate fishing, and from plastic pollution to nutrient runoff, the ocean that we all rely on is sending us warnings, if we will only listen. I look forward to discussing how we can work together to become not just takers from the ocean, but caretakers of it.”
Whitehouse will participate in a panel entitled “Political Change Makers” on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. It will open with remarks by John Podesta, Counselor to President Obama and feature a discussion between Whitehouse and Murkowski, with additional remarks from Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative. It will be webcast here.
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