All events are open to the public.
The Worst Pollution Problem in U.S. Coastal Waters Dr. Robert Howarth, Senior Marine Scientist and Program Director, The Oceans Program, Environmental Defense More than 60 percent of U.S. coastal rivers and bays are moderately to severely degraded by nutrient inputs, which cause severe ecological damage, including dead zones, harmful algal blooms, acid rain, and loss of biotic diversity. Howarth will discuss possible solutions to the problem from local to international scales. Four scientists, a federal fishery manager, and a scallop fisherman, will debate whether intensive dredge fishing and a sustainable marine ecosystem can coexist on Georges Bank. The panel will take a closer look at the benefits and economic issues raised by closing large marine areas including Georges Bank. Gelbspan will discuss whether or not the scientific community has an obligation to speak publically about this complex issue.