[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32804-32805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13224]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 8759]


Call for Reviewers of the World Ocean Assessment

ACTION: Notice of a certification.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the 
National Ocean

[[Page 32805]]

Council, requests expert review of the draft World Ocean Assessment.
    The United Nations (UN) has embarked on a regular process for 
global reporting on, and assessment of, the state of the marine 
environment, including socioeconomic aspects, the product of which is 
called the World Ocean Assessment (WOA). The projected completion date 
for the first WOA is December 2014. Subsequent WOAs are expected to be 
generated every five years in order to document trends in the state of 
the marine environment. The WOA includes more than fifty subjects 
grouped within four main themes: marine environment and understanding 
of the ocean's role in the global integrated Earth system; food 
security and food safety; human activities that influence the ocean or 
are influenced by the ocean; and marine biological diversity. A 
scientific and technical summary will integrate content to show 
linkages through interdisciplinary subjects such as human impacts, 
ecosystem services, and habitats. More information regarding the 
evolution and methodology of the WOA can be found at 
www.worldoceanassessment.org.
    This fall, UN Member States will have an opportunity to review the 
draft WOA, which is expected to be comprised of 50 chapters 
(approximately 15 pages each) and a 70-page technical summary; the 
outline illustrates the very wide range of expertise needed for such 
review. The Department of State invites experts in relevant fields of 
expertise to participate in the U.S. Government review of the draft 
WOA. Beginning on 1 August 2014, experts may register to review the 
draft WOA at review.globalchange.gov, a Web-based review and comment 
system. Registered experts will have access to the draft WOA on 2 
September 2014 and will have until midnight 30 September 2014 to submit 
their review comments using the Web-based review and comment system. 
Detailed instructions for review and submission of comments are 
available at review.globalchange.gov.
    A Review Coordination Team comprised of Federal scientists and 
program managers will develop a consolidated U.S. Government review 
submission. Only comments received via the Web-based review and comment 
system within the comment period will be considered by the Review 
Coordination Team for inclusion in the U.S. Government review 
submission.
    This certification will be published in the Federal Register.

    Dated: June 2, 2014.
Evan T. Bloom,
Director, Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014-13224 Filed 6-5-14; 8:45 am]
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