29th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

           WHEREAS, the Northeast Region, as represented by the six New England states and the five Eastern Canadian provinces, is a region whose culture, history, and economy has been and will continue to be closely aligned and impacted by its coastal and marine interests; and

           WHEREAS, there is a broad array of public, private, and educational activity in this region addressing every aspect of marine and oceans technology, exploration, industry, and environment; and

           WHEREAS, the 29^th Conference of New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers wishes to advance all aspects of oceans and marine related research and development, technology transfer and commercialization, education, sustainable development, and exploration for the benefit of the people of this region; and

           WHEREAS, significant opportunities exist to advance this goal; and

           WHEREAS, the New England Governors have committed to forming a Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) to facilitate the development of more coordinated and collaborative regional goals and priorities and improve responses to regional issues; and

           WHEREAS, the NROC will work directly with the President’s Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy to communicate regional needs at the U.S. national level and better address issues of national importance in the Northeast on the implementation of the U.S. Ocean Action Plan; and

           WHEREAS, the Eastern Canadian Premiers wish to collectively advance oceans protection and conservation through different existing or upcoming mechanisms, such as Canada’s Oceans Action Plan, in a manner which benefits the region.

           NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors’ NROC will facilitate collaboration with its counterparts in the five Eastern Canadian provinces through the NEG/ECP; and

           BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT an Oceans Working Committee be formed consisting of NROC and the appropriate representatives of the five Eastern Canadian provinces to:

(i) foster international cooperation and collaboration on all aspects of marine and oceans-related research and development, education, exploration, observation, and oceans management;

(ii) facilitate the exchange of information, including reports, discussions, initiatives and plans which may be developed or considered;

(iii) seek partnerships and synergies to facilitate existing initiatives such as the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment and encourage new initiatives and partnership;

(iv) address related environmental issues such as major oil spills, ports of refuge, invasive species, and the deliberate dumping of bilge oil at sea; and

(v) provide a vehicle for cooperation on all aspects of oceans management.

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Oceans Working Committee make recommendations to the New England governors and the Eastern Canadian premiers on all practical means to expand and enhance regional efforts on all oceans related issues.

Adopted at the 29^th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, St. John’s, NL, August 29, 2005.

Danny Williams
Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador
Co-chair

Donald L. Carcieri
Governor of Rhode Island
Co-chair