Port of Hueneme celebrates World Oceans Day with “Sustaining the Seas Summit” to spotlight ocean conservation

To mark World Oceans Day, the Port of Hueneme convened its third-annual “Sustaining the Seas Summit” on Tuesday, August 19 at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard.

The event was an opportunity for the Port of Hueneme, maritime industry companies, environmentalists, and community organizations to highlight their relevant work and discuss collaborations focused on the sustainability of the world’s oceans.

“The Port is a national leader in clean operations, and we’re also committed to a clean ocean,” said Jess J. Ramirez, President of the Oxnard Harbor Commission. “That commitment is what motivates us to bring these leaders together to educate the public and form or deepen partnerships.”

World Oceans Day is an occasion during which environmental leaders connect with the public to share the impact of human actions on the oceans. “The Port of Hueneme and the ships that rely on it are acutely aware of connectivity across our oceans. Similarly, marine life, such as humpback whales that migrate North and South in the Pacific, depend on vibrant and productive ecosystems along their route. The efforts of people in coastal communities to care for the ocean make this connectivity possible,” said Dr. Sarah Otterstrom, executive director at Paso Pacifico. Otterstrom’s keynote speech addressed ongoing work to connect ecosystems from California to Central America.

During the summit, the Port of Hueneme and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave their “Blue Whales Blue Skies” award to Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Hyundai Glovis, Maersk, K Line, NYK GROUP and MOL ACE for participating in NOAA’s Vessel Speed Reduction program that provides incentives to companies for incorporating sustainable shipping practices across their global supply chains. By lowering speed, vessels reduce whale strikes and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and underwater noise.

“Every living being is connected to the ocean,” said Adam Vega, Community Outreach & Legislative Representative at the Port of Hueneme, who organized the event. “This event helped us acknowledge the history of our region, understand our current status, appreciate how our waters are changing, and empower each other to make a positive impact going forward.”

Kristin Decas, Port Director and CEO underscored the Port of Hueneme’s “Zero Emissions by 2030” initiative. “We recognize clean air supports public health and also marine life and habitat, and we are committed to creating a sustainable, zero-emissions future for our Port, community, and environment.” she said.

The summit also included panel discussions on the topics of “Big Splash Bigger Impact: Whale Tale Grants in Action,” “Re-Readying the Coast: Building Resilience Together,” and “Tangled in Opportunity: Kelp, Cuisine, & Coastal Futures.”