Our Oceans Committee Meeting – Thurs., Oct. 19 – MLA Fall 2023

Good afternoon, Our Oceans Committee Members:

I hope to see you at the MLA Fall Meeting in San Francisco this month. Our committee will be meeting jointly with the Cruise Lines and Passenger Ships Committee, International Organizations, Conventions, and Standards Committee, and the Regulation of Vessel Operations, Safety, Security and Navigation Committee. We are excited to be meeting aboard the SS JEREMIAH O’BRIEN, a WWII-era Liberty Ship at Pier 35 within walking distance of the Argonaut Hotel. Our joint meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 from 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Pacific.

Attached is the committee meeting agenda, which includes a cruise ship panel, USCG update, and a presentation by João Ribeiro-Bidaoui, GC of The Ocean Cleanup, titled “Beyond Boundaries: Navigating Legal Obstacles to Combat Legacy Plastic Pollution in International Waters.” During his presentation, Mr. Ribeiro-Bidaoui will provide an overview of The Ocean Cleanup’s mission and projects, and he will comment on relevant Jones Act issues in the U.S. and legal challenges internationally in connection with negotiations of the new UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution.

If you have questions or if I can provide additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Sean Houseal