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The World Ocean Council (WOC) has announced that the second Sustainable Ocean Summit will be held in Washington DC on 22-24 April 2013.

Sam Walker, Group Marine Science Expert for BP International and Chairman of the 2013 Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS 2013) organizing committee, said: "SOS 2013 provides a unique, timely global platform for ocean business community to collaborate and advance the development and implementation of industry-driven solutions to ocean sustainability challenges."

Paul Holthus, WOC Executive Director, commented: “The theme for the SOS 2013 is ‘Oceans 2050’. The SOS will start with a workshop for ocean industries to begin defining the collective ocean industry vision for a healthy and productive global ocean and its sustainable use, development and stewardship. The Oceans 2050 visioning process will continue beyond the SOS and contribute to WOC strategy development and program implementation."

SOS 2013 will address priorities for cross-sectoral industry leadership and collaboration in ocean sustainability, including: ocean policy, regulations and governance; marine spatial planning; the role of industries in ocean and climate observations; biofouling, biosecurity and invasive species; responsible use of the Arctic; sound and marine life; marine debris; marine mammal interactions; the role of finance, insurance and legal sectors in ocean sustainability. Other cross-cutting topics critical to responsible industry operations in the marine environment are being developed with input from the business community. Opportunities for speakers to address the themes above will be available.

SOS 2013 is designed to attract leadership companies from the diverse range of ocean industries: shipping, oil and gas, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, offshore renewable energy, ports, dredging, mining, cables and pipelines, marine science, engineering and technology, the maritime legal, financial and insurance communities, and others - as well as ocean stakeholders from the government, inter-governmental, academic and environment communities.