2009-2008

News Release

REF NO.: 129

SUBJECT:

DATE: October 9, 2008

The world’s preeminent global oceans community will gather in St. John’s to discuss ocean observation systems and examine and debate lessons learned and paths forward.
The Fisheries and Marine Institute will host the sixth annual Ocean Innovation (OI) Conference and Exhibition from Oct. 19-22 at the Delta Hotel and Convention Centre in St. John’s. As Canada’s premier oceans event, OI-08 has attracted significant national and international interest from a range of maritime market segments. This year’s theme, Ocean Observing Systems, will be of interest to scientists, businesspeople with an interest in the marine sector, regulatory bodies, users of observatory systems and components, training institutions and associated maritime industries.
The three-day event will feature presentations on a wide range of issues related to ocean observing system operations (technologies, robustness, liability), interoperability (standards and protocols), sustainability (financing, business models) and governance (policy). In all, some 25 presenters from around the world will address the delegates.  
A highlight of this year’s conference is a public lecture by Dr. John Delaney, a professor of oceanography at the University of Washington and the first holder of the Jerome M. Paros Endowed Chair in Sensor Networks. A passionate advocate for launching next generation ocean science and education capabilities and renowned for his captivating and thought provoking presentations, Dr. Delaney will give a presentation Connecting to the Universe Below the Sea.
The lecture, presented in partnership with the City of St. John’s, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre.
The conference will kick off on Monday, Oct.20, at 9 a.m. at the Delta and will feature Trevor Taylor, minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and City of St. John’s Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. Conference chair, Dr. Philip Bogden of Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System will also welcome delegates and special guests during the opening ceremony.
For more information on the conference, visit www.oceaninnovation.ca.

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