Thursdays, 4:30–5:30 pm
6 January–10 March 2011
School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
102 Fishery Sciences (auditorium)
1122 NE Boat Street (map)
University of Washington
Reception follows each talk

For more information, contact:
Trevor Branch, 206-221-0776
tbranch@u.washington.edu
courses.washington.edu/susfish

Funding for the Series is generously
provided by Tanya Bevan, friends of Don
Bevan, the UW School of Aquatic and
Fishery Sciences, and NOAA's Alaska
Fisheries Science Center and
Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

Ocean Acidification: Effects on Fisheries and Oceans

20 Jan Miyoko Sakashita

Miyoko Sakashita

Oceans Director, Center for Biological Diversity

Curbing Carbon Pollution - Legal Solutions

Abstract

Ocean acidification is one of the greatest overarching concerns in the marine environment and it threatens to alter nearly every marine ecosystem. The emerging science on ocean acidification should inform management decisions and policy considerations when it comes to ocean health and resources.

Ms. Sakashita will discuss how scientific understanding about ocean acidification can bring it forefront into environmental policymaking and ecosystem management. Ocean acidification must become an important policy consideration driving local, national and international efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The presentation will highlight that the U.S. has the ability and the duty to regulate carbon dioxide pollution that is causing ocean acidification under existing U.S. law. Specifically, the talk will explain how the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws may be brought to bear to force such reductions. The Clean Water Act is the nation's strongest law protecting water quality, and it specifically regulates changes in acidity. We will discuss new developments under the Clean Water Act concerning waters impaired by acidification, and how the pollution controls under the law may apply to regulation of carbon dioxide. Ms. Sakashita will also discuss how other environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act-- which already protects vulnerable calcifying species such as corals--can be employed to protect marine species against ocean acidification.

Bio

Miyoko Sakashita is a Senior Attorney and Oceans Director at the Center for Biodiversity in San Francisco. She works with the oceans team to secure protections for imperiled marine life and ecosystems from threats ranging from global warming and ocean acidification to fisheries and pollution. Miyoko holds a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where she also earned a bachelor of science degree in conservation and resource studies. Prior to joining the Center, Miyoko was a local currency activist and sustainable agriculture advocate.

Readings