The Harte Research Institute (HRI) and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) co-hosted a two-day workshop Nov 1-2 in the HRI's state-of-the-art Conference Center called, "Managing for a Healthy Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem: Obstacles, Opportunities and Tools."

The meeting brought together a range of scholars, practitioners and stakeholders to identify specific examples, share experiences, and to consider how to overcome obstacles and capitalize on opportunities for cooperative management in the Gulf of Mexico region.

The meeting's aim was to understand the challenges and identify successful approaches to integrating ocean and coastal management decisions across sectors and jurisdictions in the Gulf of Mexico.

The insights shared at the meeting will be used to inform broader initiatives being conducted by the HRI and ELI on legal and regulatory mechanisms for the ecosystem-based management of marine resources.

Led by HRI Endowed Chair Dr. Richard McLaughlin, the workshop drew about 50 people, including state and federal officials, members from the academic community, non-profit representatives and coastal and ocean stakeholders.

Explaining HRI's role in the event, McLaughlin said: "HRI has developed a reputation for hosting events that facilitate better cooperation in the Gulf of Mexico."

As a follow-up to the meeting, Dr. McLaughlin from HRI, Wyndylyn Von Zharen from Texas A&M Galveston and Ralph Rayburn from Texas Sea Grant will together create a report in the spring of 2008. The discussions will also be incorporated into the ELI's Ecosystem-Based Management: Obstacles and Opportunities Handbook.

The most important outcome, McLaughlin said, was a set of recommendations drafted during the meetings to move forward in the development of ecosystem-based management policies and tools.