Several prominent national and state policy makers will welcome conference attendees and share their perspectives on U.S. and California ocean policy. The welcome speakers are:

Congressman Sam Farr, who represents California’s Central Coast and is co-chair of the House of Representatives Ocean Caucus

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who represents the 46th District of California, which includes the City of Long Beach

Assemblymember Betty Karnette, who represents the City of Long Beach, and is the only member of the California Legislature whose district includes portions of both the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach

Assemblymember Fran Pavley, who is a representative of the Southern California Coast and chairs the Budget Committee on Resources and the Select Committee on Air and Water Quality

The work these legislators have done with regard to California and the world’s ocean give them unique perspectives to share with CWO ‘06 attendees.

$15 ticket (or All-in-One ticket) includes entrance, light hors d’oeuvres and wine. Cash bar will be available.

U.S. Congressman Sam Farr	U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher	California Assemblymember Betty Karnette	California Assemblymember Fran Pavley

The California Ocean Protection Council and NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher will open the conference with their vision on how to improve ocean and coastal protection in California and across the nation. After a welcome to the City of Long Beach from Mayor Bob Foster, Vice Admiral Lautenbacher will describe new developments in national ocean and coastal policy. The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) members will hold a roundtable discussion regarding their expectations for this unique conference and their vision for action in implementing their new Five-Year Strategic Plan. The OPC voting members are Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, State Controller Steve Westly, and Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams. State Senator Sheila Kuehl (represented at CWO ‘06 by Bill Craven), and State Assembly-member Pedro Nava serve as ex-officio OPC members. This session will be web cast live from this Web site.

Entrance included with basic registration.

California Ocean Protection Council				NOAA Administrator
Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman	State Controller Steve Westly	Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams		Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher
State Senator Sheila Kuehl	State Assemblymember Pedro Nava

Since the Pew Oceans Commission and U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy issued their final reports in 2003 and 2004, California and other coastal states have responded rapidly with state ocean plans to implement their recommendations. President George W. Bush released the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, and several bills have been introduced in Congress. However, many of the major recommendations in the Commissions’ reports have not been addressed at the federal level, and renewed focus is needed to implement priority changes. In June 2006, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, composed of members of both Commissions, released the report From Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform to set clear priorities for action. This luncheon, moderated by California Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy Brian Baird, will feature Pew Oceans Commission Chair and Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Co-Chair Leon Panetta and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Executive Director Dr. Thomas Kitsos. The panel will discuss the nation’s progress toward implementing the recommendations of the Commissions’ reports and highlight the priorities for moving forward. This session will be webcast live from this Web site.

$15 ticket (or All-in-One ticket) includes entrance and lunch.

Moderator: Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy Brian Baird	Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Co-Chair Leon Panetta	U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Executive Director Dr. Thomas Kitsos

Participants from around the world have contributed excellent poster presentations addressing a diverse array of ocean issues. This is a prime opportunity to view these posters and converse with the presenters. We have over 75 poster presentations this year, so please allow enough time to visit these impressive displays. Conference exhibits will also be open during this time.

Entrance and light refreshments included with basic registration. Cash bar will be available.

This plenary panel will bring together leading journalists to address whether protecting the ocean is really on the agenda of the public and policy makers. Joining the panel are:

Terry Rodgers, a staff writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune who focuses on coastal issues and created the regular surf column

Ken Weiss, an environmental reporter for the Los Angeles Times who traveled the globe to research and write the recent special series, “Altered Oceans”

Thomas Hayden, an oceanographer turned science writer who recently wrote the cover story of the August 2006 issue of National Geographic

Moderator: Michael Sutton, Vice President and Director, Center for the Future of the Oceans, Monterey Bay Aquarium

They will address questions such as: Are oceans on the political radar screen? What challenges do journalists face covering ocean news? How do scientists and conservation practitioners either help or hinder ocean coverage?

Organized by the Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS).

$10 ticket (or All-in-One ticket) includes entrance and lunch.

Moderator: Mike Sutton		Terry Rodgers	Ken Weiss	Thomas Hayden

Hosted by Comedian Bob Sarlatte, this gala reception will feature world-famous ocean explorers Sylvia Earle and Jean-Michel Cousteau showing highlights of their greatest ocean adventures. Join us for this celebration in the beautiful Aquarium of the Pacific. Several behind-the-scenes tours of the Aquarium of the Pacific will be available 6:30 - 7:00 p.m., and the aquarium exhibits will be open for viewing throughout the evening. The Larry Walker Band featuring Bob Sarlatte and Anna Kristina will play great danceable music and vintage rock and roll for your enjoyment. Come ready to dance and celebrate 200 years of ocean exploration by the United States.

$30 ticket (or All-in-One ticket) includes entrance, dinner, and wine. Cash bar will be available.

Master of Ceremonies: Bob Sarlatte	Sylvia Earle	Jean-Michel Cousteau

California Ocean Protection Council Chair and Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman will review the key messages that have come forth at the conference. He will describe how these messages were captured at the conference and how they will be used to address the mission of the Ocean Protection Council. Secretary Chrisman's remarks will be followed by a keynote address from Dr. Tony Haymet, the newly appointed Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. In his address, Dr. Haymet will discuss the opportunities arising from California ocean policy and reflect on his experiences in Australia where a Federal Oceans Policy has been in place for more than five years. Dr. Haymet also serves as University of California San Diego's Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, Dean of the Graduate School of Marine Sciences, and Professor of Oceanography. Before joining Scripps, he was the Chief of Marine and Atmospheric Research, then Director of Science and Policy, at Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, which is one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

$15 ticket (or All-in-One ticket) includes entrance and lunch.

Mike Chrisman	Tony Haymet