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Focus Sessions



Too often we leave a conference such as this having received a tremendous amount of new information, but without having engaged in dialogue to share and learn about new dimensions and perspectives
of the ocean community. Our typical conference schedule is organized with plenary sessions and individual technical presentations, but it does not typically provide the middle ground for interaction between those who are well versed in a topic and those who have a new or tangential interest. One of the unique aspects of the Oceans Conference is that it brings together those from all ocean disciplines, and we hope these sessions will develop interaction that not only contributes to The “One Ocean” Report Card, but also encourages synergy that will extend well beyond this conference. Although the foundations for many of these begin with U.S. programs, we welcome interaction with all attendees to share perspectives and compare with programs in all nations. We have invited 2-3 experts in each focus area to present a brief perspective and facilitate dialogue. Key comments and questions will be taken forward to Friday morning’s “One Ocean” Town Hall to share with all conference attendees.


Tuesday, Sep. 20 (Room: Delaware A)

Focus Session 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Oceans and Human Health

Session Chairs will present the current relationship of oceans to human health and how the research community can provide benefit to the public. Also to be discussed are the new U.S. federal research programs.

Focus Session 2
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST): U.S. National Ocean Science and Research Plan

The three JSOST Co-Chairs, part of the new system of ocean governance defined this year by the U.S. President’s Executive Order on Ocean Policy, will lead a discussion and invite input from conference attendees for the creation of a national ocean science and research plan.

Focus Session 3
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Research Directions for NOAA: Near and Long-Term Perspectives

Session Chairs will invite input from conference attendees on the NOAA 5-year and 20-year Research Plans. The discussion will be focused on promoting an understanding of the plan.

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Wednesday, Sep. 21 (Room: Delaware A)

Focus Session 4
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Observing Initiatives: GEOSS – USIEOS – IOOS – OOI

Session Chairs will present the status and direction of the U.S. ocean observing plans from the perspectives of the lead federal agency, industry, and the Regional Associations and academic participants. Attendees will learn about and discuss the details of the IOOS development plan plus the interaction and various roles of the multiple components, participants, and constituent ocean observing systems.

Focus Session 5
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM: U.S. Congress: Hill Legislative Roundtable I

We have invited Members and Staff from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to discuss current legislation and directions within the Congress, including responses to the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, the Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and the Pew Oceans Commission.

Focus Session 6
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

“The IOC Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology”

Representatives of the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) will present information about this recently released initiative and welcome your comments and discussion. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), named as well “the Constitution of the Oceans”, Part XIV calls for promoting actively the development and transfer of marine science and marine technology on fair and reasonable terms and conditions. This initiative is a critical tool to assist countries and institutions in implementing the provisions of this Convention. Compiled by the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS), a subsidiary body of IOC, the document outlines a framework for putting the Transfer of Marine Technology into action.

AND

“The Jocara Indian Ocean Quest”

Professor John Potter (National University of Singapore and Chair for Oceans ’06 Asia Pacific IEEE) and his family have sailed for the past year throughout the Indian Ocean and worked with local and international researchers on coral reef systems, marine mammals, and fish to promote awareness of the plight of the oceans, create interactive educational opportunities for students and better understand the delicate wonders of our precious coral habitats and oceans. Dr. Potter will present results from this cruise to provide an additional important perspective of the critical need to develop and transfer marine science and technology.

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Thursday, Sep. 22 (Room: Delaware A)

Focus Session 7
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources (SIMOR): Focus on Regional Ecosystem Management

Co-Chairs of SIMOR, one of the new governance structures created by the U.S. President’s Executive Order on Ocean Policy and the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, will lead a discussion on regional ecosystem governance and management of ocean resources.

Focus Session 8
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM: U.S. Congress: Hill Legislative Roundtable II

We have invited Members and Staff from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to discuss current legislation and directions within the Congress, including responses to the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, the Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and the Pew Oceans Commission.

Focus Session 9
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Do You Know Where You Are and Who You Can Tell?

Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) is an international non-profit scientific, professional and educational organization whose over 100 member organizations represent manufacturers of radionavigation and radiocommunication systems, government agencies concerned with standards for maritime radionavigation and radiocommunication systems, government agencies and commercial entities involved in operation of maritime radionavigation and radiocommunication systems, associations with an interest in maritime radionavigation and radiocommunication systems and related public policy, ship owners and operators, educational institutions, and sales and service providers. We have invited members of RTCM to provide us an overview of how this work will affect everything that we do at sea in the coming decades and engage in dialogue to discuss perspectives that will assist them in continuing to provide this critical magic that supports our safety and success.

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Sponsored by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)/Oceanic Engineering Society (OES).

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