An ocean conservationist opposed to longlining will speak tomorrow on the importance of protecting the world's oceans from overfishing and climate change.

Gregory Stone is to give a public lecture on ocean exploration and conservation at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). He is one of the leading scientists behind the creation of the world's largest marine protected area in the South Pacific.

The Bermuda Government is currently considering introducing longline fishing to the Island's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

A report is expected to be tabled before Cabinet shortly on the commercial feasibility of longlining, following experiments in 2007 aboard the US vessel, Eagle Eye II.

Many conservationists however, say the practice results in the destruction of birds and marine animals through bycatch.

Dr. Stone, chairman of BUEI's International Advisory Board, said: "I'm against big industrial unsustainable longlining. Virtually everywhere in the world where it has been done it is bad for the ocean and for business."

The chief scientist for oceans for Conservation International, added: "Bermuda is an oceanic state and, more than in most countries, Bermudians understand the importance of the ocean, the food it provides and the effect of big storms and rising sea levels. It makes Bermudians very oriented to the need to explore the ocean and protect it. "The oceans cover 70 percent of the planet. Yet we protect about 12 percent of our land surface but less than one percent of the ocean surface."

Dr. Stone, from Boston, first visited Bermuda when he was 19 and describes [renowned underwater explorer] Teddy Tucker as a huge influence. "Bermuda is a very special place for me as it's where I first got to know the ocean," he said.

"I did most of my early scuba diving there looking at the reefs and working with Teddy and BUEI. Since then I have visited 40 times or more."

Dr. Stone was named one of National Geographic Society's conservation heroes in 2007 for leading efforts to create the world's largest marine protected area around the Phoenix Islands in Micronesia. The California-sized area, in Kiribati, protects pristine coral reefs and fish populations from pollution, climate change and overfishing.

Dr. Stone has also written for several publications including Nature and National Geographic. He was senior editor of the Marine Technology Society Journal for six years, while his Antarctic book 'Ice Island' won the 2003 National Outdoor Book Award for Nature and the Environment.

The ocean scientist was also awarded the National Science Foundation/US Navy Antarctic Service medal for his research in Antarctica. He has lectured worldwide and produced an award-winning series of marine conservation films.

Dr. Stone is an honorary associate professor at the Leigh Marine Laboratory at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and is vice chairman of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Ocean Governance.

The lecture takes place at the BUEI at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Dinner tickets are also available for $33.75. Telephone 297-7314 for details.