LEGAL 



TIDES 



The vision for this ambitious plan began 

 to take shape in the fall of 2003 during an 

 interagency, fact-finding mission to the Maghreb 

 nations led by the U.S. State Department 



Qark represented the National Oceanic 

 and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — the 

 parent agency of the National Sea Grant College 

 Program. The group also included representa- 

 tives from the U.S. Department of Energy and 

 the National Science Foundation. 



"The purpose of the trip was to identify 

 common areas of interest with the hope of laying 

 the foundation for long-term partnerships," 

 Clark explains. 



The visiting team held more than 50 meet- 

 ings in 10 days at various government ministries, 

 universities and research facilities. 



While researchers in all three nations 

 are engaged in various fields of science and 

 technology, few are engaged in applied research 



— that is, matching research results with specific 

 economic or social needs or goals. 



"One of Sea Grant's greatest strengths, 

 is its ability to link university scientists and 

 educators to outreach professionals who serve as 

 conduits of information and knowledge to 'users' 



— business and industry, government and non- 

 government organizations, and other educational 

 institutions," says Ronald G. Hodson, North 

 Carolina Sea Grant director. 



Representatives from each country ex- 

 pressed particular interest in the Sea Grant model 

 for addressing vital coastal issues, says Clark. 



Collaboration, he suggests, could focus 

 on watershed management, integrated coastal 

 management, water quality improvement, fisher- 

 ies management and aquaculture development 



— well-proven Sea Grant areas of expertise that 

 foster both economic growth and sustainable 

 marine resources. 



EXPANDING HORIZONS 



Clark has proposed a multi-million dollar 

 program to support long-term collaboration 

 among scientists from the US. and the North 

 African countries — and to extend the reach of an 

 ongoing State Department initiative. 



"It's part of the achninistration's program 

 to foster collegiality and peace in the greater Mid- 

 East region," says Bob Senseney, the State Depart- 

 ment senior advisor who led the fall 2003 mission. 

 He is attached to the Bureau of Oceans and 

 International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, 

 Office of Science and Technology Cooperation. 



Senseney explains that the U.S.-Middle East 

 Partnerships Initiative (MEPI) was launched by 

 the administration in 2002 to expand economic, 

 political and educational opportunities for some 

 80 million people in that region — and to bolster 

 relationships among partnering nations. 



Continued 



