Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2018 kicks off in June

April 2018

capitol building — The U.S. Capitol Building. Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol

Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), the premier ocean policy conference in the United States, brings together global stakeholders to discuss ocean and Great Lakes science, conservation, and management issues. Be part of the conversation on June 5-6 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center!

This year, Capitol Hill Ocean Week will feature engaging conversations with opinion leaders from across the country, and around the world, to examine pressing ocean issues. The conference’s themes this year are: (1) Vision for our Ocean and Great Lakes; (2) Restoration of Marine and Great Lakes Ecosystems; (3) Our Changing Ocean; and (4) Working Together for Sustainable Waters.

a diver holding a large camera swims through a coral nursery — Topics for this year’s Capitol Hill Ocean Week will include leadership, restoration, ocean changes, and sustainability. Photo: Mitchell Tartt/NOAA

What started as a small, daylong gathering in 2001 has grown to become the nation's leading annual conference highlighting current marine, coastal, and Great Lakes policy and programs. At CHOW, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation brings together policymakers, scientists, scholars, businesses, and conservation leaders to address science, conservation, and management issues. More than 700 attendees, 150 members of Congress, and 65 speakers participated in 2017, discussing technology, ocean noise, marine protected areas, marine debris, and more.

Can’t make it in person? Main-stage plenaries will be streamed live on capitolhilloceanweek.org.

Standard registration is free of charge. Register now to CHOW down on Capitol Hill with us this summer.