World Oceans Day – June 8 – is creeping up on us once again and this year’s seems to have special significance, since it comes a year after the disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil spill. One of the bigger celebrations of WOD will be at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC (10th St. and Constitution Ave), including the following two events.
“The Last Wild Places in the Ocean” with Dr. Enric Sala. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Enric Sala is a marine ecologist and ocean fellow of National Geographic, who leads expeditions to some of these last wild ocean places towards the ultimate goal of helping to save them.
“The Gulf and Its Seafood—One Year Later.” Panel and dinner reception. Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) chief Dr. Jane Lubchenco will introduce and moderate a panel discussion focusing on the Gulf region a year after the oil spill. Environmental activist and actor Ted Danson, chairman of the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition Mike Voisin, Patrick Riley of Western Seafood Company, ocean scientists, educators, and health professionals will discuss the state of the fisheries and marine ecosystem in the Gulf, the impact of the spill on seafood, and the long-term questions that remain. Many of these have been explored by DSN’s own Dr. Holly Bik here, here and here
After the panel, guests will be able to sample a variety of sustainable seafood dishes created by a wide array of leading chefs of Washington and the Gulf states, while learning about choosing and preparing sustainable seafood. In addition, assorted meats, desserts, artisanal cheeses, and wines from 25 wineries will also be served.
