NOAA Leaders Head To St. Pete To Discuss Status Of Coastal Waters

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- On Monday, Sept. 10, leaders from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington, D.C., will be in St. Petersburg to discuss the health and status of Florida's coastal waters.

The event, part of NOAA's nationwide "listening sessions," will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the University of South Florida Student Center, Ballrooms 2 and 3, 200 6th Ave. S., St. Petersburg.

NOAA is hosting these public conferences from August to November to provide information about the implementation of the Department of Commerce’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and give the public a chance to comment.

Topics will include the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, reducing the seafood trade deficit, and supporting maritime commerce, fisheries, recreation, and tourism.

Timothy Gallaudet, acting under secretary of commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, will
discuss opportunities to reduce the nation's seafood trade deficit and promote marine commerce,
fisheries and tourism.

His remarks will be followed by a period for public comments. This is an opportunity to ask questions and provide input on implementation of these and other NOAA and Department of Commerce priorities.

Among those who plan to take advantage of the opportunity to voice their thoughts are members of the nonprofit Oceana Florida, dedicated to protecting the world's oceans.

"This listening session is especially timely due to the Trump administration’s calls to open nearly all U.S. waters to offshore drilling activities and federal attempts to make backroom deals to remove the eastern Gulf drilling moratorium," said Loryn Baughman, U.S. communications associate for Oceana based in Washington, D.C. "We expect dozens of community members to be at the USF Student Center sharing their opposition to offshore oil drilling activities."

Click here for the invitation to the St. Petersburg listening session.

Image via Oceana Florida

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