News 2014: UMass Law faculty takes part in conference on ocean acidification in southern New England

Dr. John Quinn leads discussion on mitigation and policy options for ocean acidification

UMass Law faculty member Dr. John Quinn served as a session organizer this month at a conference addressing the mitigation and policy options for ocean acidification in southern New England. Also taking part in the conference were representative from the Woods Hole Research Center, Buzzards Bay Coalition, UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ocean Conservancy, Mr. Ben Hammett, Horizon Foundation, Davis Conservation Foundation, Quebec Labrador Foundation, and the Cape Cod Five Foundation & the Island Foundation.

The conference was organized to search for solutions to address the regional threat of ocean acidification, which has a direct bearing on the regional maritime economy and livelihoods of shell and fin-fishing. The conference brought together coastal resource users, planners, ocean acidification experts, stakeholders and other concerned citizens. The goal of the conference was to find common ground among these groups concerning the risks to our region from ocean acidification.

As a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, John Quinn served in several leadership positions, including the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Banks and Banking and as the Vice-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Atty. Quinn has presented at various conferences on banking and fisheries issues. He has also testified at two Congressional hearings on the subjects of banking and fisheries law.

John Quinn earned his Public Policy Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He also serves on the Board of Directors of YMCA SouthCoast, the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, the Bristol County Bar Association and is a member of the New Bedford Bar Association Bar Council. Additionally, Att. Quinn was appointed by the United States Secretary of Commerce as a member of the New England Fisheries Management Council which manages the New England fishing industry; he currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Council.