Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: PFEL developed an interactive
"hands on" exhibit, and presented it at the Oceans Fair at the 1998 National
Ocean Conference.
Background: In celebration of the International Year of the Oceans, a National Ocean Conference was held in Monterey, CA in June 1998. Organizers were Commerce Secretary William Daley and Navy Secretary John Dalton. It brought together representatives from academia, environmental groups, industry, business, and local, state and federal government, to discuss the nation's long-term vision for the oceans. Attendees included President and Mrs. Clinton, Vice-President Gore, several members of Congress and the cabinet, and included Secretary Daley and NOAA Administrator Baker. Although the Conference was invitation only, an Oceans Fair was organized to give the public an opportunity to participate in this event. PFEL was among a handful of groups invited by the organizers to develop and host an exhibit in the Fair's Technology Pavilion.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: To give Fair visitors an opportunity to interactively examine how technology is used by PFEL to study environmental-fisheries linkages, and to heighten the visibility of PFEL, SWFSC, and NMFS to the public on a national stage.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: PFEL staff spent considerable time preparing materials for this exhibit. These materials included updates to the PFEL web page, and the generation of several animations of historical environmental and fisheries data, showing the relationship between environmental variability and fluctuations in fisheries populations. These were organized into a "hands-on" exhibit for the public to select animations to view. The exhibit was also linked to the Internet, allowing visitors to explore the PFEL web site and data access pages, and related links. The response by visitors to the exhibit was beyond expectations. Many of these materials will be accessible on the web, and will be a staple of future public presentations by PFEL.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): In one day, hundreds of visitors were exposed to the activities of the NMFS, SWFSC, and PFEL in a very positive light. The exhibit allowed the public to learn more about how technology and research contribute to the nation's ability to manage ocean living resources. The agency received considerable publicity and good will by participating in this event. Cooperation with other agencies and groups represented at the event was enhanced.
Problems: None.
Key Contact: Frank Schwing (831-648-9034, fschwing@pfeg.noaa.gov)