Capitol Hill Ocean Week took place June 10 to 12, 2014 and was sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and many nonprofit organizations and private companies. A variety of speakers addressed the importance of climate change, marine conservation, fisheries, and resource harvesting.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell delivered a keynote address, sharing her experiences living near the ocean in the Pacific Northwest and discussing her efforts to promote sustainable business practices as CEO of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). Secretary Jewell stressed the vital role of ocean health in improving quality of life and supporting the economy; marine sanctuaries host 100 million visitors per year and provide 75,000 jobs. Secretary Jewell also discussed the real time impacts of climate change, calling it “the defining issue of our time.”

Secretary Jewell reminded the audience that “sustainability is a team sport,” exemplifying the symposium’s emphasis on ocean conservation and responsible use of ocean resources.

Source: Capitol Hill Oceans Week