Washington, D.C., June 5, 2024 – On June 5, 2024, Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) hosted a compelling virtual session titled "The Blake Plateau: A Southern Treasure," dedicated to exploring the multifaceted significance of the Blake Plateau. The event was moderated by Lisa Suatoni, Director of Fisheries and Deputy Director of Oceans and Nature at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The session brought together a distinguished panel, each offering theirunique and invaluable insights into the ecological, cultural, and historical dimensions of this underwater treasure. The panelists, with their unparalleled expertise, included Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and Founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition; James Delgado, Senior Vice President at Search Inc.; Derek Sowers, Mapping Operations Manager at Ocean Exploration Trust; and Erik Cordes, Full Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Biology at Temple University.
Lisa Suatoni began the session by introducing the Blake Plateau, emphasizing its status as the world's largest deep-sea coral province, located 80-200 miles offshore from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Suatoni highlighted the plateau's extraordinary biodiversity and underscored its cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, particularly as part of the Middle Passage. She set the stage for a rich discussion on the urgent need to protect this unique ecosystem further.
Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine provided a profound cultural and historical perspective on the Blake Plateau. She articulated its deep connections to the Gullah/Geechee Nation, highlighting its role as a nautical highway during the Middle Passage. Queen Quet stressed the importance of recognizing and preserving the cultural heritage embedded in these waters. She also discussed her ongoing efforts to engage the Gullah/Geechee community in environmental conservation, including initiatives like the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative. Queen Quet emphasized the holistic view of environmental protection within her community, linking cultural preservation directly with ecological sustainability.
James Delgado offered an archaeological and historical lens on the Blake Plateau. As a Senior Vice President at Search Inc., Delgado discussed the archaeological significance of the area, detailing the remnants of shipwrecks and other historical artifacts found within the plateau. He highlighted the importance of these underwater cultural resources in understanding the broader historical narratives of maritime travel and the transatlantic slave trade. Delgado advocated for increased archaeological exploration and documentation to preserve these underwater heritage sites.
Derek Sowers brought a scientific and technical perspective to the discussion. As the Mapping Operations Manager at Ocean Exploration Trust, Sowers detailed the technological advancements and methodologies used in mapping and studying the Blake Plateau. He explained how modern mapping techniques have revealed the complex topography and extensive coral habitats of the plateau. Sowers underscored the importance of these scientific endeavors in informing conservation strategies and emphasized the need for continued exploration to fully understand the ecological significance of the plateau.
Erik Cordes, a Full Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Biology at Temple University, focused on the ecological and biological aspects of the Blake Plateau. Cordes discussed the unique deep-sea coral ecosystems found on the plateau, highlighting their role in supporting a diverse array of marine life. He stressed the importance of these habitats in maintaining ocean biodiversity and their potential vulnerability to human activities such as deep-sea mining and trawling. Cordes called for stronger protective measures, including the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs), to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
Throughout the session, the panelists engaged in a dynamic discussion on the various dimensions of the Blake Plateau's significance. They explored potential conservation strategies, including the designation of the plateau as a marine national monument under the Antiquities Act. The conversation also touched on the importance of building local and regional support for conservation efforts, engaging stakeholders such as fishermen, divers, and coastal communities.
The session concluded with a consensus on the need for a coordinated, multi-faceted approach to protecting the Blake Plateau. The panelists highlighted the importance of integrating scientific research, cultural heritage preservation, and community engagement in conservation strategies. They called for continued advocacy and policy efforts to ensure the long-term protection of this invaluable underwater treasure.
In summary, "The Blake Plateau: A Southern Treasure" session at CHOW 2024 was a comprehensive exploration of the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of the Blake Plateau. The event showcased the diverse expertise of the panelists and underscored the urgent need for enhanced and immediate protections to preserve this unique and vital marine ecosystem. The audience was left with a clear call to action, emphasizing the crucial role they can play in this conservation effort.
When interviewed about Goldwater Ventures's partnership and advocacy alongside the Gullah/Geechee Nation for public recognition of the cultural, spiritual, and environmental importance of the Blake Plateau to Afro-/Indigenous Communities along the Sea Islands, President and Founder, A. Prince Albert III, said the following:
By advocating for its recognition and protection of the Blake Plateau, we honor the sacred histories and ecological wisdom of the Sea Islands. In partnership with the Gullah/Geechee Nation, we are committed to safeguarding this spiritual underwater alter, the foodways, and the lifeways it has given birth to. Our goal is to ensure that Blake Plateau thrives for future generations. This is more than conservation; it is an act of justice, a preservation of identity, and a celebration of the rich tapestry of life that connects us all to our ancestral roots and the natural world.
See photos and videos from the presentation below:
Citation
Goldwater Ventures, CHOW 2024: Gullah/Geechee Nation & Goldwater present Afro/Indigenous Cultural and Environmental Depts of The Blake Plateau (June 13, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/chow-2024-gullah-geechee-nation-goldwater-present-afro-indigenous-cultural-and-environmental-dept.
References
Natural Resources Defense Council. "The Blake Plateau: A Southern Treasure." (March 2024). Available at: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/blake-plateau-southern-treasure-fs.pdf.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "Blake Plateau Deep Sea Exploration." YouTube, 14 February 2024, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYaO6jsTtzI.
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