Envisioning A New Future for Ocean Protection: Stewardship of the High Seas
On October 30, 2018, the Aspen High Seas Initiative hosted a side session to the Our Ocean Conference 2018. The Our Ocean Conference is the premier annual gathering of government leaders, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, and scientific organizations focused on highlighting the world’s most significant ocean-related challenges. It also serves as a platform for delegations to announce their commitments to address those challenges. First launched by the U.S. State Department in 2014 under the leadership of Secretary John Kerry, it is hosted by a nation every year, in 2018 by Indonesia.
This year, the Aspen High Seas Initiative convened an official side session entitled Envisioning A New Future for Ocean Protection: Stewardship of the High Seas. During the session, a panel of international ocean leaders discussed the importance of the High Seas to the health of our planet and actions that can be taken to foster responsible management of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Participants also learned about the new Aspen High Seas Initiative and shared ideas for how the Initiative can collaborate with partners to increase attention to high seas issues and foster exploration, sound management, and protection of this vital resource.
Speakers included Dr. Sylvia Earle, Co-Chair, Aspen High Seas Initiative; Mr. Tony Long, Chief Executive Officer, Global Fishing Watch; President Tommy Remengesau, Republic of Palau; Amb. Peter Thomson, United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean; and Mr. Michael Conathan, Executive Director of the Aspen High Seas Initiative. The session took place on Tuesday, October 30 from 07:30 to 09:00 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (Mengwi 7) in Denpasar, Indonesia.