First Joint Meeting of the Signatories to the Hamilton Declaration and the Sargasso Sea Commission - 20 to 22 October, 2014.

After making opening remarks, the Minister Chaired the first meeting of the Signatories to the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea.  Presentations were made by the remaining Signatories, including the Azores, Monaco, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.  The remainder of the meeting which was facilitated by the Secretariat to the Sargasso Sea Commission, consisted of a series of presentations by leading experts on marine protected areas around the world.

At the conclusion of the Meeting of the Signatories, the Minister Chaired the first meeting of the Sargasso Sea Commission in which the Commissioners made presentations on their areas of interest.  The Commission developed a work programme which identified their priorities for the next two years.

The Minister was accompanied by Kevin Monkman, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment.  Dr. Tammy Trott, Senior Marine Resources Officer for the Department of Environmental Protection attended the meetings in her capacity as a Sargasso Sea Commissioner.
 

Workshop on Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea - Legal and Environmental Issues in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - 23 October, 2014.

The Minister made opening remarks at this workshop, the objective of which was to start an informed dialogue between the Submarine Cable Industry and the newly established Sargasso Sea Commission regarding best environmental practices for the laying and maintaining of cables in high seas areas such as the Sargasso Sea. 

The Minister was accompanied by Kevin Monkman, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment.  Dr. Tammy Trott, Senior Marine Resources Officer for the Department of Environmental Protection attended the meetings in her capacity as a Sargasso Sea Commissioner.