Summit series event on September 16 will shine a light on ocean health.

Experts from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography will participate in the next edition of The Ocean Race Summits—an engaging, interactive, virtual conference, based out of Newport, R.I., where the Summit concept was pioneered over five years ago during a stopover of the 2014-15 edition of The Ocean Race. 

Subsequently developed in collaboration with 11th Hour Racing, the Premier Partner of the Race, The Ocean Race Summits are uniquely positioned to give a voice to the ocean, and the advocates and experts working to restore this critical resource.

On September 16, from 10am to 1pm ET, hosts Danni Washington (marine biologist, TV host and science communicator), Liz Bonnin (biochemist, wild animal biologist and TV presenter) and Niall Myant-Best (presenter and host for The Ocean Race) will lead lively conversations with a diverse group of accomplished leaders and youth changemakers, including Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

Topics to be examined in Newport include a look at how the values of ocean racing can be applied to the challenge of ocean health restoration; the promotion of Marine Protected Areas; how to unite behind the science and continue to innovate blue technologies; ocean impact investment; and tackling the communications gap as it relates to science and restoring our marine environment.

The Summit in Newport also features eight Action Labs, where registered participants will join the conversation and make their contributions during deep dive sessions into topics critical to the health of our planet: Youth for 30×30; Intersectional Environmentalism; Blue Tech and Innovation; Relaunching Ocean Science; Who Speaks for the High Seas; The Future of Seafood; Polar Focus; and Funding Ocean Health Restoration.

“These times of unprecedented change demonstrate who the true leaders of this world are, and at The Ocean Race Summit in Newport we are honoured to welcome some of the finest,” said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race. “These are leaders who share our dream of an ocean as healthy and abundant as it used to be, and who are taking real and concrete action to make the dream a reality.

The Summit in Newport will bring together a diverse group of ocean conservation experts and advocates, with a wide range of expertise, to identify solutions and facilitate meaningful action towards the restoration of our ocean.

Participation in the Summit is by invitation, but most sessions will be streamed live for public viewing at theoceanrace.com/en/live and will be made available on demand following the Summit.

The Ocean Race Summits event in Newport is the latest in a series, building off the initial Summit in Newport in 2015 and continuing through the next edition of The Ocean Race, scheduled for 2022-23.