OLYMPIA – The public is invited to attend the next meeting of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification. The meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 20, in The Forum Room, 3rd floor of Parrington Hall, University of Washington Campus.

The meeting will also be broadcast by webinar so people may join online.

The meeting agenda includes discussions of recommendations on research and monitoring; reducing local sources of nitrogen; adapting and remediating the impacts of ocean acidification; and public education and outreach.

Washington’s shellfish growers are seeing an increase in the deaths of juvenile shellfish larvae, which has been linked to acidic marine waters.

In December 2011, Washington became the first state in the nation to:

• Create a panel of leading science and policy experts to respond to this ocean health issue.
• Expand Washington’s shellfish resources.
• Promote clean-water commerce.
• Create more family-wage jobs dependent on healthy marine waters in our state.

Washington shellfish growers directly and indirectly employ more than 3,200 people and provide an estimated total economic contribution of $270 million per year.

Find a copy of the meeting materials, learn how to join the webinar and read more about the panel and its findings online atwww.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oceanacidification.html.

Directions to the meeting.

Sharon Kivisto, San Juan Islander, 19 July 2012. Web site.