Gulf of Mexico Blowout and Law of the Sea

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The following event announcement is being released by the Center for Oceans Law and Policy, University of Virginia School of Law:

Time: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM (May 20th); 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (May 21st)

Event Type: Two Day Oceans Conference

Sponsored by: Center for Oceans Law and Policy (COLP), University of Virginia School of Law

Event Location: (May 20th) Murrow, White & Lisagor Room (panels) and Fourth Estate Room (dinner) and (May 21st) First Amendment Lounge (panels)

Details: "The Sky is Falling – or is it?  Dissection of an Oil Spill" is the topical theme of the featured dinner speaker, Dr. Quenton Dokken, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Foundation. An eminent marine biologist with a Texas conservation group respected by industry, Dr. Dokken reports on his just-completed comprehensive inspection of the oil spill impacted areas in the Gulf of Mexico. His scientific assessment of environmental facts as well as speculations includes an analysis of the spill's economic implications for the states in the region. The first day (May 20) of the conference has three panels on ocean policy: "The Stakes for America," "Energy and Economic Development," and "Submarine Cables: Critical Infrastructure." Admiral Gary Roughead, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, will discuss operational aspects of the Law of the Sea Convention during a luncheon address. On the second day (May 21st), former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger will introduce a panel on "Protecting and Enhancing U.S. National Security" that includes Vice Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and two other admirals. The luncheon speaker is Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) who represents Alaska, which has more than half of the U.S. coastline. Following the Senator is a debate between former Law of the Sea Ambassador and COLP Director, Professor John Norton Moore and Steven Groves, Esquire, Bernard and Barbara Lomas Fellow, The Heritage Foundation, on the question of U.S. Interests in Prompt Adherence to the Law of the Sea Convention. Other speakers at the Conference include former Secretary of Energy James D. Watkins, former U.N. Ambassador Thomas Pickering, former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Paul Yost, and Ambassadors, Senate legal counsels, industry spokespersons, and senior Administration officials.

SOURCE Center for Oceans Law and Policy, University of Virginia School of Law