WEST LONG BRANCH — Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI) will host its 11th annual Future of the Ocean Symposium and Champion of the Ocean Awards Luncheon from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Wilson Hall, 400 Cedar Ave.
Renowned ocean advocates and explorers Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., and Terry Garcia will present, “A Revolution at Sea: Ocean Exploration, Technology and Discovery.”
Earle is an explorer in residence at the National Geographic Society and the founder of the Sylvia Earle Alliance/Mission Blue and the Deep Ocean Exploration and Research Inc. She is also the chair of the advisory council for the Harte Research Institute and a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She has authored over 200 publications and led more than 100 expeditions with over 7,000 hours underwater. Her life and work were highlighted in the 2014 documentary “Mission Blue.”
Garcia is the National Geographic Society’s chief science and exploration officer. In 2010, he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, which investigated the root causes of the incident in the Gulf of Mexico and made recommendations to prevent and mitigate the impact of future spills that result from offshore drilling.
Three regional ocean champions who represent organizations that were instrumental in the protection of U.S. coral reefs will be honored. Champion of the Ocean Awards will be presented to Richard B. Robins, chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Ernie Panacek, president of the Garden State Seafood Association; and Jay Odell, director of the Mid- Atlantic Marine Program at the Nature Conservancy.
The symposium is free and open to the public. Tickets to the luncheon are $150, with proceeds benefiting UCI programs and activities. For more information or to purchase luncheon tickets, contact Danica Simmons at 732-263-5662 or visit www.monmouth.edu/uci.