Keynote Address
Sustainable Seas
Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 8:30AM

Our keynote speaker for the conference on Tuesday morning is the renowned Marine Biologist, Dr. Sylvia A. Earle. She will be discussing the impact we are having on our oceans, from heightened mercury levels in the fish we eat to tsunami devastation in coastal areas once protected by corals and mangroves. Dr. Earle—sometimes known as "Her Royal Deepness" or the "Sturgeon General"—has been an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society since 1998, the year Time magazine named her their first "hero for the planet." Earle has pioneered research on marine ecosystems and has led more than 50 expeditions totaling more than 6,000 hours underwater. She holds numerous diving records, including setting the women's depth record for solo diving at 3,300 feet (1,000 meters). Since 1990 Earle has held a variety of important posts, including chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She describes the ocean as the cornerstone of Earth's life-support system, vital for the survival and well-being of humankind. As Earle says, the ocean has no borders and we must all focus our energies on critical conservation.

The Social
Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Don’t Miss the Tuesday Night Social. Dr. Orrin Pilkey, Professor Emeritus, Duke University will present a lively discussion on his life’s work on barrier islands, beach processes, and coastal development. Dr. Pilkey's research centers on both basic and applied coastal geology, focusing primarily on barrier island coasts. Dr. Pilkey’s applied studies are carried out under the auspices of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS). Such studies have included a review of the national beach replenishment experience on all 3 U.S. coasts and analysis of the validity of replenished beach engineering design parameters. The PSDS group is currently exploring, from a geologic viewpoint, methods for mitigating hurricane damage on barrier islands. The PSDS is also critically analyzing the numerical models used by geologists and engineers  to predict coastal and especially beach  behavior
and finds them wanting.  Known for his outspoken candor, Dr. Pilkey will be available for a book signing during the evening event.

Lunch Presentations

Tuesday, November 28, 2006
11:30  "Will Science Solve Hypoxia?"

Dr. Nancy Rabalais  will present the latest information on hypoxia studies in the Northern Gulf of Mexico during lunch on Wednesday. Currently Director of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Dr. Rabalais brought national attention to the problem of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia (oxygen depleted waters) related to excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen. As a result of White House action, a scientific assessment of the hypoxia issue and the linkages with nutrient loadings of the Mississippi River was conducted and a Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force is now implementing a Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan to coordinate and support nutrient management and hypoxia related activities in the watershed and Gulf. She gives seminars and presentations concerning the hypoxia and nutrient overload issues across the U.S., and globally, and has testified at Senate and House Committee hearings.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006
12:00 "Our National Ocean Policy: Past, present, and a blueprint for the future"

Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, Professor of Oceanography, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida Frank E. Muller-Karger is a biological oceanographer, where he directs the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing.  Muller-Karger was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. The results of this Commission’s deliberations are far-reaching and urgent. The impacts of human activity in the coastal zone and our lack of information with which to develop comprehensive management strategies are both timely and revealing. On Wednesday at lunch, Dr. Muller-Karger will  discuss the signal results of this committee’s deliberations and sound a renewed  call for action that is particularly important for the Gulf states.

Muller-Karger conducts research on marine primary production using satellite remote sensing, large data sets, networking, and high-speed computing. This research helps in the location and monitoring of large-scale phenomena, understanding climate control and climate change, and in the interpretation of numerical models of the ocean.