U.S. Ocean Policy Leadership Matters.

One of the many pleasures of living in Washington, D.C. is participating in ocean conservation policy events and supporting U.S. Congressional Representatives and Senators (and their knowledgeable staff members) who are passionate about protecting our fisheries, stopping illegal fishing, addressing impacts of climate change, and creating important marine protected areas. Two Senators that deserve a shout out are U.S. Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and U.S. Senator, Ed Markey (MA), both Peter Benchley Ocean Award winners for ‘Excellence in Policy,’ who have been steadfast ocean conservation leaders not only fighting for their states local issues, but providing much needed leadership at a national level and global level on climate change. Senator Markey co-sponsored the Green New Deal and Senator Whitehouse co-sponsored with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which will help reduce tackle the problem plastic pollution in the ocean on a global scale.

They both understand that protecting the ocean means job security, food security and national security.

Four ocean champions at the Benchley Awards. (From left to right) U.S. Sen. Whitehouse, David Helvarg, Co-Founder of the Benchley Awards, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (HI), and Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Former NOAA Administrator at the final Peter Benchley Ocean Awards ceremony hosted at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Please check out the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards for Excellence in Policy to read about other inspiring ocean champions.