Past Seminars
Past ocean seminars have focused on the following topics. Click on the heading link to access expanded descriptions, audio recordings, and written summaries of the events (you will be transferred to the original event site at www.eli.org).
Climate Change
Climate Change, Community Resilience, and Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
April 10, 2015
This webinar brought together a panel of experts to discuss the complex intersection of climate change, community resilience and Gulf of Mexico restoration, focusing on the challenges of and opportunities for creating restoration projects that both incorporate climate change considerations and are responsive to the needs of coastal communities.
Managing Threatened and Endangered Marine Species in the Face of Climate Change
November 2, 2011
In this seminar, expert panelists discussed how the Endangered Species Act programs can be best implemented in order to provide long-term protection and recovery of endangered and threatened species in a time of rapid and profound change.
Ocean Acidification: Managing the Marine Impacts of Climate Change
June 23, 2010
In this seminar, panelists representing the scientific, nongovernmental, federal, and regulated communities addressed the litigation, legislation, and research being undertaken and developed to address the changing ocean conditions resulting from acidification.
Integrated Ocean Management
Marine Spatial Planning Legislation: A Guide to Leveraging the Law for Better Marine Management and Protection
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Countries are increasingly turning to marine spatial planning as a comprehensive management tool to better manage and benefit from their ocean environment, while still maintaining ocean health for long-lasting sustainability. A wealth of literature describes the importance of marine spatial planning as a whole, but little attention has been paid to how countries can give their marine spatial planning initiatives the force of law.
This webinar, therefore, is for legal drafters and policy makers who have been asked to “draft a marine spatial planning law.” Guest speakers shared their direct experiences developing marine spatial planning processes and legislation. Presentations were followed by a discussion with the webinar’s participants.
The webinar draws from Designing Marine Spatial Planning Legislation for Implementation: A Guide for Legal Drafters. This Guide contains detailed and comprehensive information about essential components of marine spatial planning legislation. It also provides examples, drawn from existing legislation and real-world experiences, to illustrate how legislative or regulatory language can address each component. This Blue Prosperity Coalition Guide was funded by the Waitt Foundation and developed by the Environmental Law Institute and Animals | Environment PLLC.
Seizing the Seas: Diving into Deep-Seabed Mining
Thursday, June 11, 2020
The deep ocean environment is, in many respects, a mystery. Some accounts state a mere 5% of the world’s seabed has been thoroughly explored, yet heightened concerns over climate change and efforts to decarbonize transportation are driving a new frontier into deep-seabed mining. Proponents of deep-seabed mining claim it is a viable strong potential solution to present and growing shortages in the critical materials need for renewable energy technologies and electric car batteries, amongst others. Meanwhile, opponents to deep-seabed mining emphasize the risks to biodiversity, potential for permanent ecosystem damages, climate implications of mining, and lack of clarity surrounding international governance on the high seas.
Panelists explored both the net benefits and costs of seabed mining decision-making, tackled best practices for seeking a sustainable and commercially-viable industry, envisioned the future of marine environmental protection, and confronted the current regulatory landscape of deep seabed mining.
The Other Gold Rush: Impacts and Governance of Coastal Sand Mining
November 18, 2015
What connects beaches, roads, and skyscrapers? All three–along with many electronics–rely on sand mining. Globally, 40 billion tons of sand are consumed per year, far more than any other mineral. Sand mines are proliferating in rivers and along coasts all around the world for everything from land reclamation on the U.S. east coast to concrete construction projects in Dubai. With increased need for sand comes increased environmental risks from the mining process. Simultaneously, there is a growing need for sand mining governance that adequately balances the realities of industrial societies alongside potentially catastrophic ecological impacts from mining activities.
The webinar convened experts on sand mining to discuss what it is, where it is being carried out, and how it is being governed. The goal was to spark discussion about the best way to move forward with this other type of Gold Rush.
International Deep Seabed Mining
April 22, 2015
This webinar brought together some of the foremost experts on deep seabed mining to discuss this pressing issue. Of particular relevance are the ISA’s Exploitation Regulations, released in draft form on March 13 and open for public comment until May 15. In light of these important legal developments and leaps forward in scientific understanding, now is the time to pause to consider the special nature of the deep ocean and how to best manage it.
Harnessing NEPA to Manage Cumulative Impacts in the Ocean
November 30, 2011
This seminar brought together experts to discuss methods for improving cumulative environmental impacts analysis and utilizing NEPA to enhance ecosystem-based, adaptive management of human activities in the ocean.
Arctic Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning and the Role of the Arctic People
March 11, 2010 (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
This seminar centered on the rights, traditions, and experiences of the Arctic people; existing co-management practices; competing management imperatives; and how to build from the existing system toward an Arctic marine spatial planning framework.
A National Framework for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning
January 26, 2010 (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
This seminar brought together a panel of CMSP experts from federal government, the environmental NGO community, and the private sector to discuss the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force’s Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.
Marine Spatial Planning: Why, How, and When?
July 28, 2009
This seminar explored the rationale for marine spatial planning (MSP) and science, law, and policy efforts underway to develop MSP; panelists discussed efforts to map biological, physical, jurisdictional, and human use data in order to inform management decisions.
Marine Protection & Conservation
Global Review of Plastics Pollution: Managing Marine Litter
Monday, November 11, 2019
Marine litter is human-created waste that has been discharged into the marine environment, including glass, metal, plastics, and other debris. According to data compiled by the United Nations, the equivalent of a garbage truck filled with plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute – that’s more than 8 million metric tons per year. While progress is being made to manage marine litter through enacting laws governing the production and use of land-based materials that cause marine litter and cleanups, challenges persist including supervising waste disposal into the marine environment and establishing overarching marine litter legislation.
This webinar explored recent U.S. legislation to target marine litter, the economic impacts of marine litter, and highlighted examples of successful international marine pollution agreements and regulatory collaborations.
Technology and the Seas: Enforcement in Marine Protected Areas
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are marine spaces where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters. Established in over 65 countries and territories, MPAs embody a range of habitats including open oceans, coastal areas, inter-tidal zones, and estuaries. MPAs enable the provision of fundamental ecosystem services, the protection of marine biodiversity and cultural resources, and provide spaces in which to conduct cutting-edge research and implement innovative policies. Yet, the management of MPAs can face challenges including the lack of adequate tools, rules to secure comprehensive monitoring, the vastness of the ocean, and more.
How do agencies work together to establish these areas both domestically and internationally? What are the innovative technologies that can aid in the monitoring of MPAs? How are MPAs enforced? Panelists engaged in these questions and more as they explored groundbreaking technologies, innovative MPA frameworks, and examples of successful domestic and international MPAs.
Marine Debris: Cleaning up the Sea
December 15, 2014
This webinar brought together some of the foremost experts on marine debris to discuss what can be done by different levels of government, NGOs, private companies, and the public. The goal was to discuss policy and inform action to clear the sea of marine debris.
Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Global Shark Conservation
May 2, 2013
This panel convened government, nongovernmental, and fishing industry experts to discuss the implications of the March 2013 CITES decision on trade in shark products, the current status of domestic and international shark protection efforts, and potential approaches to ensuring a long-term future for sharks.
Ocean and Coastal Law Enforcement: Enforcing Protected Species Laws in the Marine Environment
August 10, 2012
The panel featured expert speakers whose experiences with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Justice, and Greenpeace provided the foundation for discussion of key challenges, success stories, and potential opportunities to strengthen marine protected species enforcement.
Managing Threatened and Endangered Marine Species in the Face of Climate Change
November 2, 2011
In this seminar, expert panelists discussed how the Endangered Species Act programs can be best implemented in order to provide long-term protection and recovery of endangered and threatened species in a time of rapid and profound change.
High Seas Marine Protected Areas: Safeguarding Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
December 16, 2010
In this seminar, panelists discussed the international rationale and underlying legal framework for establishing MPAs on the high seas, and considered strategies for setting aside protected areas and the implications of different methods and approaches.
Stemming the Flow of Marine Debris
December 8, 2009
This seminar brought together experts to discuss the challenge of managing and preventing marine debris, including options for taking legal action to address the problem.
New Visions for the National Marine Sanctuaries Act
November 4, 2009
In this seminar, representatives from national sanctuaries, the scientific community, the environmental NGO community, and the recreational fishing sector discussed the purpose of the sanctuaries program, the need for reauthorization, and what reauthorization might include in light of current efforts to develop a national ocean policy and framework for marine spatial planning.
The Coastal Zone Management Act and the Nation’s Policy on the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes: Its Role and Its Potential
October 9, 2009
Representatives of federal and state agencies, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations discussed the role of the CZMA in our nation’s ocean policy moving forward and how the CZMA serves as a tool to address challenges facing coastal communities, coastal ecosystems and the nation.
Of Whales and Sonar: Environmental Protection and Naval Training Collide in Winter v. NRDC
October 15, 2008
Panelists offered their insights into the legal and scientific arguments presented in this environmental case, and on how the Justices may come down in a dispute where the two sides present very different views of the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.
Fisheries & Aquaculture
Strengthening Governance of Small-Scale Fisheries: Small-Scale Fisheries Toolkit
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Over the last couple of decades, ocean stewardship efforts have started focusing more on such ocean governance approaches as the creation and enforcement of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the implementation of sustainable fisheries practices, including small-scale fisheries (SSF) co-management. The implementation of these approaches always requires the enactment of a legal mechanism.
The Environmental Law Institute recently published the Law and Governance Toolkit for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries: Best Regulatory Practices. This Toolkit presents a methodology for assessing the reforms needed to strengthen SSF governance and offers examples of model regulatory language for the core governance elements. The Toolkit particularly focuses on creating and implementing co-management mechanisms, and also addresses related elements, including exclusive fishing rights for SSF communities, creation of exclusive zones for SSF, effective monitoring and enforcement, long-term conservation and sustainable use, and regulatory implementation of area-based management. Bridging legal research and country implementation, the Toolkit was developed in close cooperation with Parliamentarians for Global Action, an international network of democratically elected lawmakers promoting human rights and security.
Our webinar brought together drafters of the Toolkit, representatives from Parliamentarians for Global Action, and other experts to discuss how legal reforms can strengthen small-scale fisheries governance, as well as the role the new SSF Toolkit can play. Presentations were followed by a discussion with the webinar’s participants.
Offshore Aquaculture and the Army Corps of Engineers: Regulations and Recommendations
June 3, 2015
Most offshore aquaculture facilities require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act—and in some cases, this permit will be the only one required under federal law. ELI’s white paper, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulation of Offshore Aquaculture, provides a detailed legal and practical overview of Corps regulation of offshore aquaculture, illustrated through case studies of three offshore aquaculture projects that have recently received Section 10 permits. In addition, it provides recommendations for steps to increase the consistency and timeliness of Section 10 permitting of offshore aquaculture while ensuring that all environmental impacts are effectively addressed.
This webinar featured presentations on the content and recommendations of the white paper, along with presentations and reactions by experts from the Army Corps of Engineers and Salem State University’s Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center.
Tracing Seafood from Vessel to Plate
December 12, 2013
The second part of a two-part webinar series on seafood safety and traceability, this webinar brought together governmental, nongovernmental, and industry experts to discuss the need for and challenge of deploying effective traceability systems
Ensuring Seafood Safety After a Disaster
November 15, 2013
The first of a two-part webinar series on seafood safety and traceability, this seminar brought together government, non-governmental, and industry experts to discuss the impacts of recent natural disasters on finfish and shellfish, as well as the framework for responding to and assessing potential contamination from these disasters.
Offshore Aquaculture and the Magnuson-Stevens Act
June 28, 2013
This webinar brought together experts from NOAA, nongovernmental organizations, and the aquaculture industry to explore questions related to the application of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to offshore aquaculture.
Point Sources and Pollutants: Using the Clean Water Act to Regulate Offshore Aquaculture Discharges
December 5, 2012
This webinar brought together experts from the Environmental Law Institute, EPA, and academia to explore questions related to the application of the Clean Water Act to offshore aquaculture.
Fisheries Law Enforcement: Status and Challenges
April 27, 2012
In this café style session, panelists discussed the key challenges facing fisheries law enforcement agencies and the regulated industry, ongoing reform efforts, and what additional actions and solutions may be necessary to ensure that the system maximizes fisheries compliance
Designing Effective and Enforceable Catch Share Systems
March 17, 2011
In this session, experts discussed some of the key issues and possible solutions surrounding the design and implementation of effective, equitable, and enforceable catch share systems.
The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Challenge: Sustaining a High-Value Migratory Species in a Highly Impacted Ocean
November 8, 2010
In this panel discussion, experts discussed the current state of bluefin tuna and domestic and international efforts to conserve the species. The panelists identified the key challenges associated with managing this high-value, highly migratory species and potential approaches to overcome them.
The Future of Sustainable Seafood
March 8, 2009 (Blue Vision Summit)
This three-part session included an exploration of the sustainability of wild fishing and aquaculture and a discussion of how national ocean policy can guide the future of sustainable seafood.
Marine Aquaculture: A Growing Business
February 6, 2007
In this seminar, panelists discussed the current environmental challenges facing aquaculture, laws and policies that regulate existing aquaculture practices, and expanding and emerging sectors such as offshore aquaculture.
Sustainable International Fisheries: Pipedream or Reality?
November 1, 2006
In this seminar, panelists covered topics included overfishing, overcapacity, bycatch and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and discussed the existing management regime as well as additional potential opportunities and options to achieve sustainable fisheries.
Ocean Water Quality
Enforcing Maritime Laws: the Role of Private Citizens
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Whistleblowers play an important part in uncovering violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), one of the most important and effective legal instruments in combating marine pollution today. According to a recent review of 100 APPS cases, whistleblowers have been instrumental in over 75% of successful cases, making the United States the leading enforcer of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
This seminar examined different dimensions of enforcing marine pollution laws and conventions and explore the role that whistleblowers can and do play in the detection of pollution violations. The session gave participants a better idea of how they can engage unconventional actors in ensuring compliance with marine pollution regulations.
Point Sources and Pollutants: Using the Clean Water Act to Regulate Offshore Aquaculture Discharges
December 5, 2012
This webinar brought together experts from the Environmental Law Institute, EPA, and academia to explore questions related to the application of the Clean Water Act to offshore aquaculture.
Ocean and Coastal Law Enforcement: Enforcing Ocean Water Quality Standards
September 13, 2012
This panel convened experts to discuss existing challenges, opportunities, and successes in enforcing water quality standards in the marine environment.
Ocean Industry
Deepwater Horizon Litigation: Where things Stand and What is Next
January 14, 2015
The webinar brought together leading experts on the oil spill litigation to discuss the first two phases of the trial, including the court’s ruling that the oil spill was the result of BP’s gross negligence and willful misconduct, and previewed some of the major issues that were be addressed in Phase III.
The Next Frontier: Offshore Hydraulic Fracturing
October 8, 2014
Emerging awareness of offshore hydraulic fracturing has spurred questions about the nature of the practice, how it has been employed, and the framework for managing it. This webinar convened representatives from various sectors to address these and other questions surrounding the science, law, and policy of offshore hydraulic fracturing. The goal of the webinar was to provide perspective on the growing, yet rarely discussed, practice of using hydraulic fracturing in the ocean setting.
Deepwater Horizon Litigation: Overview and Update
November 13, 2013
Coming on the heels of Phase II of the BP civil trial, this webinar provided an overview of the litigation landscape related to the disaster, and then considered the status and implications of the BP civil trial that is ongoing in New Orleans.
Offshore Oil & Gas in the Arctic: The Next Five Years
January 26, 2012
In this seminar, panelists discussed the draft leasing program and aspects such as science needs and availability, expected activity impacts, and how the program may align with other ongoing ocean management processes, such as coastal and marine spatial planning.
The Oil Spill Liability Framework
May 24, 2010
This panel discussed the primary oil spill liability provisions in effect at the time of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, and aspects such as the types of damages covered, past experiences, and the factors that influence the extent of liability in different circumstances.
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources of the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf: Extent, Recoverability & Environmental Implications
April 20, 2009
This seminar explored the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Project, the potential extent and recoverability of Extended Continental Shelf mineral resources, and the implications of commercial recovery for the ocean environment.
Clean Ocean Energy
March 8, 2009 (Blue Vision Summit)
Oil and Gas Development in the Outer Continental Shelf
November 21, 2008
In this seminar, panelists discussed terms under which oil and gas leasing should proceed and how environmental concerns will be considered going forward. Panelists also discussed the likelihood of Congress revisiting a moratorium or considering other legislative proposals that will affect OCS leasing, development, and royalty issues.
Ocean Energy: Offshore Wind
September 15, 2008
In this seminar, panelists discussed the legal and regulatory framework for offshore wind development, and also considered whether the existing legal framework goes far enough to provide regulatory certainty for the offshore wind industry and ensure appropriate environmental protection.
Ocean Energy: Tide, Current, and Wave Energy
July 29, 2008
In this seminar, the panel discussed tide, current, and wave energy development in the U.S. and specifically considered the recent programmatic environmental impact statement for the new alternative energy program at Minerals Management Service.
Noisy Oceans: Beyond Navy Sonar
May 20, 2008
In this seminar, panelists led a discussion of the legal and policy landscape of two particular issues—noise from oil and gas exploration and from commercial shipping—as a way to understand what legal and policy measures exist and may be needed as we expand ocean uses to include alternative energy development, increased shipping, and expanding oil and gas exploration.
Ports, Shipping, and Air Emissions
April 30, 2008
Panelists discussed existing legal and policy obstacles to and opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas and other air emissions from the marine shipping industry.
Catch the Next Wave of Ocean Energy Development
January 10, 2007 (The DC Bar)
This series of three panel discussions focused on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) alternative energy activities, the latest developments involving OCS oil and gas and liquid natural gas, and the roles of the states, the environmental community and other regulatory agencies, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which are impacted by OCS energy development initiatives.
Ocean Shipping and the Environment
July 25, 2006
In this seminar, panelists explored some of the major legal and policy issues related to shipping and the environment, including whale strikes, ship noise, and invasive species introduction.
Gulf of Mexico
The New RESTORE Act Regulations, Notice, and Guidelines from Treasury
August 28, 2014
The Treasury Department, tasked with overseeing implementation of the RESTORE Act, released several important rules and guidance documents relevant to the administration, distribution of funds, and proposal of projects and programs. This webinar featured a panel of experts to provide an overview of these complex and interrelated documents, with special focus on the Treasury Department’s interim final rule for administering the Restoration Trust Fund.
Implementing the RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act: Key Considerations and Opportunities
July 30, 2012
This seminar brought together experts to discuss the key considerations and opportunities ahead in implementing the RESTORE Act, including what the RESTORE Act could mean for the environment, economies, fishing communities, and citizens of the Gulf Coast states.
Early Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico: When, Why, and How
September 20, 2011
This seminar brought together experts to discuss what early restoration is, how it fits within the broader Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process, and the framework agreement and process.
The Oil Spill Liability Framework
May 24, 2010
This panel discussed the primary oil spill liability provisions in effect at the time of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, and aspects such as the types of damages covered, past experiences, and the factors that influence the extent of liability in different circumstances.
Arctic
Offshore Oil & Gas in the Arctic: The Next Five Years
January 26, 2012
In this seminar, panelists discussed the draft leasing program and aspects such as science needs and availability, expected activity impacts, and how the program may align with other ongoing ocean management processes, such as coastal and marine spatial planning.
Arctic Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning and the Role of the Arctic People
March 11, 2010 (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
This seminar centered on the rights, traditions, and experiences of the Arctic people; existing co-management practices; competing management imperatives; and how to build from the existing system toward an Arctic marine spatial planning framework.
International Ocean Law
National Security, Economic Well-Being, and the Law of the Sea
June 6, 2011
In this seminar, international ocean management experts explored the rationale for acceding, focusing specifically on the relevance of UNCLOS to national security and economic well-being.
High Seas Marine Protected Areas: Safeguarding Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
December 16, 2010
In this seminar, panelists discussed the international rationale and underlying legal framework for establishing MPAs on the high seas, and considered strategies for setting aside protected areas and the implications of different methods and approaches.
Marine Management
The Coastal Zone Management Act and the Nation’s Policy on the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes: Its Role and Its Potential
October 9, 2009
Representatives of federal and state agencies, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations discussed the role of the CZMA in our nation’s ocean policy moving forward and how the CZMA serves as a tool to address challenges facing coastal communities, coastal ecosystems and the nation.
Emerging and Expanding Ocean Uses: Scientific and Regulatory Uncertainty
February 13, 2008
In this seminar, panelists tackled the challenges of decision-making, development, and conservation in the marine environment in the face of scientific and regulatory uncertainty.
Ocean Law & Policy: An Update
April 18, 2006
In this seminar, panelists shared their expertise on a variety of topics including: the activities that have resulted from the recent release of reports from the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy; the adequacy of current governance structures to meet ocean environmental and regulatory needs; current legal risks for marine environments and industries; and likely changes in federal ocean law and policy.