As an introduction to next year’s in-person conference, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance will host a Virtual Preview Conference on Wednesday, Apr. 14. The event, which will focus on the intersection of scientific research and management of Gulf Coast human and natural systems, will combine GOMA’s annual All Hands Meeting, the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science Conference, and the triennial State of the Gulf Summit. Registration is accessible here.
In addition to keynote remarks by Dr. Jack Davis, University of Florida Professor of Environmental History and Sustainable Studies and author of “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea,” three panels will focus on Gulf of Mexico restoration and related scientific and technical uncertainties, restoration science, and Gulf science and research topics including fisheries, sea-level rise, and coastal hydrology.
Panelists include representatives of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Florida Institute of Oceanography, Harte Research Institute, Mississippi State University and Mississippi-Alabama & Florida Sea Grants, U.S. Geological Survey, University of South Florida, LSU Center for Coastal Resiliency, and Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
GOMA is a regional ocean partnership that was established in 2004 by the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Its mission is to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf region by encouraging collaboration among government agencies, businesses, education providers and non-governmental organizations. Priority issues addressed by the Alliance include water resources, habitat resources, community resilience, data and monitoring, wildlife and fisheries, and education and engagement.