Plenary Schedule

Tuesday – Blue Economy: Global Perspectives. 

The opening OCEANS 2023 plenary will feature speakers at the national level representing the Navy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Each speaker will detail the importance of data collection efforts within their organizations, as well as how the data are used in their various missions. Familiar missions will include climate change, the increasing need for better understanding of the environment supporting global conflicts, solutions to degraded/depleting ocean resources, sustainable coastal development, and understanding our planet's oceans. Lesser-known missions such as humanitarian support, search and rescue, and others will be presented.

Moderator:

Laurie Jugan, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET)

Plenary Speakers:

Dr. Richard Spinrad, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

HON Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment

Wednesday – Blue Economy: National Perspectives. 

This plenary will bring the global issues to the national level to include initiatives spearheaded by United States agencies and United Nations allies.  Speakers will detail how their organization's efforts align with the Blue Economy for sustainability and economic development.  Speakers will provide updates on research areas of interest, as well as success stories on how research in the Blue Economy can lead to successful commercial endeavors.

Moderator:

John Cousins, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)

Plenary Speakers:

Dr. Ruth Perry, United Nations Decade of the Ocean U.S. Committee

Dr. Joseph Wheatley, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Dr. Steve Thur, NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Thursday – Blue Economy: Embrace the Gulf.

This final plenary will bring the scope of the Blue Economy to the Gulf of Mexico.  Topics will include elements of the Blue Economy that take place or are planned for the Gulf Coast region. These programs serve as assets along the U. S. Gulf Coast that support the continued development of the Blue Economy in the region.  Representatives from varied programs in place serve as representatives of the types of programs that make for a thriving industry in a coastal region.

Moderator:

Laurie Jugan, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET)

Plenary Speakers:

Laura Bowie, Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Hailey Bathurst, Gulf Blue Navigator

Valerie Alley, RESTORE Act (MDEQ)

Jorge Brenner, Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System

James Kendall, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)