Whitley Saumweber

Director, Stephenson Ocean Security Project, and Senior Associate (Non-resident), Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Whitley Saumweber

Dr. Whitley Saumweber is senior associate of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has worked extensively across the federal government, academia, and private sector developing practical approaches for integrating marine science with pressing policy needs. He has been a visiting fellow with Stanford University’s Center for Ocean Solutions and served as President Obama’s associate director for Ocean and Coastal Policy in the White House Council on Environmental Quality. In this latter capacity, he led the development and implementation of President Obama’s agenda for marine conservation and stewardship on behalf of the White House. This included leading teams responsible for the creation of multiple marine reserves of global significance; development of the first U.S. seafood traceability program to combat illegal fishing; directing our National Ocean and Arctic policies; and oversight of national sustainable fisheries policy. Previously, Dr. Saumweber has served as a senior adviser to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administrator, worked as an adviser to the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), overseen a national research and monitoring program at the NOAA, and worked as an ocean scientist and educator. Dr. Saumweber holds a Ph.D. in biological oceanography from the University of Rhode Island.

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Event Summary: Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum

The Center for Strategic and International Studies Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative held the Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum with FishWise on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Blog Post by Mariana Aziz, Jenny Barker, Alexa Cole, and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jennifer Kane, Sara Lewis, Tony Long, Farid Maruf, Jovice Mkuchu, Kate O'Rourke, Leo Pradela, Whitley Saumweber, Ian Urbina, Laura Van Voorhees — September 27, 2023

Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum- Taking Stock and Next Steps

The Stephenson Ocean Security Project and the Human Rights Initiative will host an impact event to bring together sectoral experts, government representatives, industry leaders, and civil society stakeholders to reflect on the progress made and to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead as we move towards a more sustainable and traceable seafood industry.

Event — September 15, 2023

Ocean Security Forum 2023

This year’s forum will focus on the theme of 'Natural Security' and the role that support for resilience, sustainability, and capacity building plays in fostering and building key US partnerships.

Event — January 18, 2023

Ocean Security Forum 2021

The Stephenson Ocean Security Project highlights the ways that global security challenges arise from marine resource competition and works towards solutions that support sustainable development, coalition building, and the need for American leadership.

Event — December 16, 2021

Covid-19 at Sea: Impacts on the Blue Economy, Ocean Health, and Ocean Security

Ships move 90 percent of cargo. Fisheries employ 50 million people and feed over 1 billion. CSIS experts on ocean security and human rights explore how Covid-19 will shape the way the ocean connects and feeds the world—and affect the lives of the people who depend on it.

Commentary by Whitley Saumweber, Amy K. Lehr, Ty Loft, and Sabrina Kim — April 10, 2020

Into Africa

In Hot Water

Rising temperatures across the globe will have profound consequences for Africa’s oceans and the people that are dependent on them for their livelihoods. How can countries work together in order to mitigate the effects of climate change?

Podcast Episode by Judd Devermont and Whitley Saumweber — April 3, 2020

CSIS Into Africa

Second Annual Ocean Security Forum

Please join the CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project for the Second Annual Ocean Security Forum. This year's event will address human rights abuses in the global seafood industry and the expansion of China’s distant-water fishing fleet.

Event — January 7, 2020