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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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 by Whitley Saumweber , Rod Schoonover , Dr. Kelly Kryc , Dr. Maxine Burkett , and Rear Admiral Jo-Ann F. Burdian — January 18, 2023

Photo: the Ocean Agency/Adobe Stock

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 by Whitley Saumweber , Secretary Carlos Del Toro , Monica Medina , Admiral Karl Schultz , Paul Woods , Beth Lowell , Duncan Copeland , Dr. Jared Dunnmon , and Dr. Ian Ralby — December 16, 2021

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Oceans of Opportunity: Southeast Asia’s Shared Maritime Challenges, Session Three

CSIS presents “Oceans of Opportunity: Southeast Asia’s Shared Maritime Challenges.” This final session will feature remarks from John Edgar (Environment Office Chief, USAID Philippines) and expert panel discussions on adapting to climate change and avenues for regional cooperation.

Event by Gregory B. Poling , Whitley Saumweber , John Edgar , Laura David , Jurgenne Primavera , John McManus , Amanda Hsiao , and Jay Batongbacal — June 21, 2021

Photo: Dmitry Pichugin/Adobe Stock

Oceans of Opportunity: Southeast Asia’s Shared Maritime Challenges, Session Two

​CSIS presents “Oceans of Opportunity: Southeast Asia’s Shared Maritime Challenges.” This session will feature expert panel discussions on combatting plastic pollution and preserving the law of the sea.

Event by Gregory B. Poling , Whitley Saumweber , Secretary Roy Cimatu , Deo Onda , Sandra Whitehouse , Dini Trisyanti , Antonio Carpio , Tara Davenport , Xiao Recio-Blanco , and Jay Batongbacal — June 14, 2021

Photo: Dmitry Pichugin/Adobe Stock

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

A Conversation with U.S. Senator Tom Udall on Addressing Plastic Waste

The CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Energy Security and Climate Change Program are pleased to welcome Senator Tom Udall who will share his views on U.S. efforts to address plastic waste.

Event by Sarah Ladislaw , Whitley Saumweber , and Senator Tom Udall — February 28, 2020

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 by Whitley Saumweber and Jonathan E. Hillman — January 7, 2020

UN Report Paints a Bleak Outlook for the World’s Oceans and Coastal Areas

CSIS’s Whitley Saumweber and Sarah Ladislaw argue that the new UN special report puts the threat of climate change to the ocean and ourselves in stark relief and makes clear that a lack of action will have dire consequences.

Critical Questions by Whitley Saumweber and Sarah Ladislaw — September 27, 2019

Photo: Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Fishing in the National Defense Authorization: Unpacking Maritime SAFE Act

The Maritime SAFE Act, included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, is designed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing worldwide. CSIS’s Whitley Saumweber breaks down its implications for security, human rights, and broader oceans policy.

Critical Questions by Whitley Saumweber — August 14, 2019

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images