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Conference on coastal protection begins
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Posted on Jun 22 2004
Scores of environmental officials and representatives from Pacific islands and federal agencies yesterday convened at the Pacific Islands Club to develop a regional strategy to address the degradation of coral reef ecosystems, fisheries and marine water quality.
Participating federal agencies include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Marina A. Picolish, PhD., of the Hawaii-based MAPping Change, LLC, the consulting firm that designed the meeting’s agenda, said the conference aims to develop a regional strategy that would strengthen the voice of Pacific and Carribean islands at the federal government, especially in procuring financial support to address environmental concerns.
The All Islands Coastal Zone Conference 2004 seeks to have local and federal agencies arrive at strategic priorities for coastal management for the next five to 10 years.
The agencies earlier underscored the importance of an effective public awareness campaign, setting the development of a community education strategy as one of their priorities. They also highlighted the importance of an information strategy for political leaders in efforts to get political support.
Coastal Resources Management Office director Joaquin D. Salas and deputy director Steve Tilley led the CNMI’s environmental officials and representatives in the conference.
The conference would continue today, when the EPA and NOAA are set to hold a joint session on exploring relationships among theirs and the islands’ programs.
NOAA’s Office of Coastal Resources Management program specialist Jonathan Kelsey and EPA’s Pacific Islands Office manager John McCarroll would be joining the panel discussion.
