The U.S.-China Joint Working Group on Cooperation in the Field of Marine and Fishery Science and Technology met April 24-25 in Silver Spring, Md. The meeting culminated with the signing of a statement of intent on the last day of the meeting.
"Our two nations have a long history and much in common in the marine and fisheries areas," said Richard Spinrad, NOAA assistant administrator of ocean and atmospheric research and co-chair of the 17th meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Working Group on Cooperation in the Field of Marine and Fishery Science and Technology. "The statement of intent that we signed today brings the United States and China closer to share scientific information, advance our collective understanding of ocean processes and dynamics, and implement best practices for the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources."
Spinrad co-chaired the meeting with Deputy Administrator Chen Lianzeng of the State Oceanic Administration of the People's Republic of China. Chen led a 10-member delegation.
The two nations have worked together on marine and fisheries issues under a 1979 protocol.
"The 1979 protocol produced many accomplishments," said Spinrad. "What we signed today ensures that we build upon those accomplishments to achieve even greater results and strengthen the relationship between our two nations in these areas."
Under the statement of intent, the two countries will pursue further opportunities to strengthen collaboration on marine and fisheries science and technology that align with national priorities, such as the U.S. "Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy of the United States," and the "11th 5-Year Plan for the Development of Marine Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China."
Areas of mutual interest include the role of the ocean in climate change, oceanographic data and information, living marine resources, integrated coastal and ocean management, and polar sciences.
"This statement goes beyond science and technology to include management and applications," said Rene Eppi, director of the NOAA Research International Affairs Office.
The participants agreed to send representatives to the Ocean Policy Forum this fall in the Republic of Korea, as well as a similar forum hosted by China in 2009.
