In June, AWI staff members attended Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in Washington, DC. CHOW—which brings together scientists, policymakers, scholars, businesses, and conservation leaders—is the nation’s premier ocean policy conference. This year’s theme was leadership. Over multiple days, participants explored both traditional and novel ways that local, regional, national, and international communities are adapting to changing ocean ecosystems, mitigating marine biodiversity loss, reducing vessel strikes on marine wildlife, promoting sustainable fisheries, and nurturing the bond between humans and the natural world.
A panel discussion of key importance to AWI’s work to save the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) included fishers reporting on their success deploying ropeless (or “on-demand”) fishing gear. Ropeless gear can help prevent deadly entanglements of NARW and other marine species. The fishers provided crucial insights into overcoming technological challenges and thoroughly addressed concerns from colleagues who might be reluctant to give up their fishing ropes and buoy lines. AWI staffers also met with members of Congress during the conference to brief them on the urgent need not only to support adoption of ropeless fishing gear but also to push for implementation of long-awaited vessel strike reduction measures in NARW habitat.