Citizens, scientists and policymakers debate ways to restore ocean health at AAAS Town Ha...( mendations for future action: 1...)

1. Find and communicate positive stories to policymakers and the public about successful community efforts to improve ocean quality;
2. Increase funding and support for all forms of public transportation to reduce ocean pollution;
3. Enlist sports fishermen to help promote and monitor conservation and reclamation efforts;
4. Encourage people to become involved in local efforts to preserve the marine environment;
5. Discourage harm to the Puget Sound through the use of economic incentives/disincentives;
6. Regulate commercial fishing more aggressively;
7. Inspire people with the majesty of the oceans to motivate them to protect this resource.
8. Conduct research on what will motivate people to change their behavior to protect the oceans.

The town hall meeting was the debut initiative of AAAS's Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology. The new Center was founded to forge a better understanding between scientists and the general public on the increasingly complex scientific issues that affect our daily lives; and to enhance the public's input into scientific research agendas by creating opportunities for dialogue among policymakers, the public and the scientific community.

The town hall meeting was moderated by Ira Flatow of National Public Radio's "Science Friday," and hosted by Leshner; with speakers Jane Lubchenco, chair of marine biology at Oregon State University; John R. Delaney, professor of oceanography at the University of Washington; and Usha Varanasi, director, Northwest Fisheries Science Center. AAAS joined with the Seattle Aquarium; the Pacific Science Center, Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team; Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS); Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO); and SeaChange to hold this event. The meeting was facilitated by Public Agenda, a non-partisan citizen engage
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Contact: Ginger Pinholster
gpinhols@aaas.org
202-326-6421
American Association for the Advancement of Science
18-Feb-2004