As part of the U.N. Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development – Ocean Decade Laboratory Series, MTS held its kickoff Women Leadership in Marine Technology and Science Webinar on July 7. The panelists included: Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Founder and CEO of 7 Mile Bay; Dr. Shakila Merchant, Director of the City University of New York (CUNY) High School Initiative in Remote Sensing (HIRES) Program & Associate Director NOAA Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies (CESSRST) Center; Dr. Deidre Gibson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Marine and Environmental Science Department at Hampton University; MTS President Zdenka Willis, L.L.D., CEO of Veraison Consulting.

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED - IN WATER DEMONSTRATIONS AND PORT TOURS INCLUDED 

Laurie Jugan, Mississippi Enterprise for Technology program director, said, “The theme for the year is ‘Smart Ocean’ focusing on support the Chief of Naval Operation's Task Force Ocean initiative aimed at maintaining the Navy's undersea dominance. This is through the ability to understand and exploit the ocean environment by re-invigorating Navy-relevant ocean science, increasing the Navy's capability and capacity to understand and exploit knowledge of the ocean environment, and better leveraging the full range of science and technology development in the United States.” The focus supports the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command mission of defining and applying the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the stars, to ensure that the US Navy has the freedom of action to deter aggression, maintain freedom of the seas and win wars.

ECOPS at OCEANS & MEMBER RECRUITMENT
If you are an ECOP and want to have input into what sessions are offered at OCEANS 2021. Please complete this brief survey. https://forms.gle/EtCmYR3u3x6nv16KA

This year, the OCEANS 2021 San Diego and OCEANS 2021 Porto conferences have combined and are thrilled to welcome you to the hybrid event, OCEANS 2021: San Diego – Porto. We look forward to seeing everyone in San Diego! REGISTER HERE!

Reconnect with Your Global Offshore Peers Next Month. OTC is delighted to welcome the offshore energy sector back to Houston, Texas, USA 16–19 August 2021. Registration provides full access to unrivaled in-person and virtual connectivity with executive-level speakers, influencers, innovators, suppliers, and more. Register here: https://2021.otcnet.org/register

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

OTC is now accepting paper proposals for the 2022 event! Abstracts are due 14 September 2021 and must be submitted online. https://2021.otcnet.org/technical-program/2022-call-for-papers.  The program committee is seeking abstracts on all topics related to the offshore sector, with a focus on the enhanced role of digital solutions, the energy transition, best practices in lowering carbon footprint in operations, and new areas of opportunity.

Learn more about this event at https://mtsociety.memberclicks.net/houston-bbq

Contact Larry Hagstrom for more information, [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER

On June 17, former MTS Past President Rick Spinrad was confirmed as the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Nominated by President Biden on April 22, Spinrad has four decades of experience as an ocean scientist, including previously serving as Chief Scientist, Assistant Administrator for Research, and Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management at NOAA. Prior to his time at NOAA, Spinrad served in the U.S. Navy in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy and the Office of Naval Research. He was also the Executive Director for Research and Education at the non-profit Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education.

In a NOAA news release, Spinrad said, “I am thrilled to be back and am ready to hit the ground running. I am humbled to lead NOAA’s exceptional workforce on a mission so relevant to the daily lives of people across America and to the future health of our planet. And I will ensure that trust and scientific integrity will continue to be the foundation for all of our work.”

In May 2019, The Offshore Technology Conference provided the backdrop for a discussion between two colleagues, which resulted in a book collaboration featuring ocean scientists and industry professionals from across the globe. At that conference, Liesl Hotaling, MTS Vice President of Communications & Publications and Rick Spinrad, former MTS Past President and now head of NOAA met, and began to create an initial outline of what would become their book Preparing the Workforce for a New Blue Economy, People, Products and Policies. Released this month, the book features more than 60 experts discussing various aspects of the Blue Economy.

The May/June 2021 MTS Journal is available online through Ingenta.

Volume 55, Number 3: Introduction to The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the Seabed 2030 Initiative

On June 8 to celebrate World Oceans Day, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission announced the first Actions officially endorsed as part of the Ocean Decade.

“From restoring the Great Barrier Reef to mapping 100% of the ocean floor in high resolution, these innovative programmes and contributions make up the first set of Ocean Decade Actions that will contribute to help deliver the ocean we want by 2030” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

The Ocean Exchange™ and MTS offer a joint webinar series – Engaging with the Blue Economy

More than 400 people have joined the webcast to learn more about the Blue Economy. Vesa Koivumma, a participant, said, "Very insightful and much needed evolving industry insights. Great speakers offering varying perspectives and knowledge" Speaker Carrie Schmaus, Department of Energy, said, “The series gave us an opportunity to connect with a diverse audience in a new, interactive way."

Edie Widder, Ph.D., a oceanographer, a marine biologist, and the co-founder, CEO, senior scientist at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and the first recipient of the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration given by MTS and SUT, recently released a new book about her exploration and discoveries in the deep sea, Below the Edge of Darkness, a Memoir of Exploring Light and Life in the Deep Sea. For Currents, Edie discussed her new book with MTS.

What is the key message or theme that is conveyed in the book?