STATE HOUSE - The Rhode Island House of Representative last week approved a House Resolution that proclaims that the year, 1998, will be called the "Year of the Ocean" in Rhode Island. It was introduced by Rep. Eileen S. Naughton, who recently returned from the nation's first-ever National Ocean Conference in Monterey, California.
"Dedicating 1998 as the Year of the Ocean is an important first step at local, national, and international levels to preserve the ocean's health, to protect the marine environment, and to properly manage the rich resources of our world's oceans," said Representative Naughton. "It is fitting that Rhode Island make this proclamation since we have long recognized the importance of the oceans and call ourselves the 'Ocean State'."
Representative Naughton, who chairs the General Assembly Aquaculture Commission, said that she introduced the Resolution ('98-H 9218) because the overall impact of the Atlantic Ocean on Rhode Island and ocean issues are rarely addressed in any systematic fashion. "More than 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered by water and more than half of the world's population lives with 50 miles of an ocean coastline," she said in her Resolution.
Another motive for introducing a "Year of the Ocean" Resolution in the General Assembly, according to Representative Naughton, was the renown that the University of Rhode Island has gained around the world for its expertise in the ocean sciences and ocean research. She specifically mentioned in her Resolution the work of the state university and Margaret Leinen, who Vice Provost & Dean of URI's Graduate School of Oceanography.
Both Dean Leinen and Representative Naughton were among the 500 delegates who attended the recent two-day National Ocean Conference that was held June 11 and June 12 at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Representative Naughton said that she and Dean Leinen had the opportunity to speak with President Clinton and Vice President Gore, who also were attending the first national ocean conference in the country in 25 years.
"The people that we met in Monterey were so friendly and knowledgeable about the oceans of the world," said Representative Naughton. "The conference was everything I had hoped for and I was very proud to be a Rhode Islander. Delegates came up to be and praised URI's Graduate School of Oceanography and the great work of former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell who gave our country the successful National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was just wonderful," she added.
Earlier this year, the United Nations declared 1998 the International Year of the Ocean in order to promote public awareness and understanding of the value of the sea, its resources, and marine activities.
The Warwick legislator said that several of the themes that were discussed at the Monterey conference will reappear this fall at Rhode Island's 3nd Annual Aquaculture Conference, which will be sponsored by the General Assembly October 8 and 9 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston.
Anyone wishing more information on the upcoming Aquaculture Conference should write to: 1998 Aquaculture Conference, c/o The Narragansett Bay Commission, 235 Promenade St. Suite 500, Providence, RI 02908.
