WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Oceans Caucus co-chair Senator Murkowski today announced that Dr. Jeremy Mathis – head of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Ocean Acidification Research Center – will be the first expert to address the U.S. Senate Oceans Caucus at its first meeting Thursday. “Alaska has more miles of coastline than the rest of the country combined, and those shores represent a wide range of ecosystems – so we have a large body of knowledge to share,” said Murkowski. “I’m proud that Alaska will lead the way in terms of educating my Senate colleagues as to the issues facing our waters.”

The Senate Oceans Caucus was formed earlier this year to:

Facilitate congressional conversations about the country’s coasts and the governing policies.

Educate members and staff on ocean and coastal policy and scientific research.

Strive to find common ground on responses to the challenges facing our oceans and coasts.

“I said at the outset that this is going to be a working caucus, one with results” Murkowski continued. “Alaskans know our oceans are evolving and changing, so it is imperative we make informed policy decisions when it comes to our oceans.”

Sen. Murkowski co-chairs the Senate Oceans Caucus with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Other members of the Senate Oceans Caucus are Senator Begich, along with Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Scott Brown (R-MA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John Kerry (D-MA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).