The Preliminary Recommendations Of The U S Commission On Ocean Policy

Beginning in Sept. 2003, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy convened a series of 15 public meetings & 17 site visits around the country. Members learned firsthand about the most pressing issues facing the nation regarding the use & stewardship of ocean & coastal resources. This Report builds on info. presented at those meetings, combined with the latest scientific & technical info. on oceans & coasts, & inputs from 100s of experts. This draft remains a work in progress, but the findings & policy recommendations reflect a consensus of the Commission members, & what they believe to be a balanced approach to protecting the marine environment while sustaining the vital role oceans & coasts play in our lives & national economy. Illus.

In June 2009, the Obama Admin. established an Ocean Policy Task Force to develop a national ocean policy. On Sept. 10, 2009, the task force released an Interim Report which includes national ocean policy priorities, a governance structure for interagency coordination, and an implementation strategy. Most congressional activity has focused on specific topics, incl. ocean exploration, ocean and coastal mapping, ocean and coastal integrated observation, ocean acidification research and monitoring, and coastal and estuarine land conservation. Contents of this report: (1) Background: U.S. Comm. on Ocean Policy; Pew Oceans Comm.; Admin. Response; Joint Ocean Comm. Initiative; (2) Issues for Congress. Charts and tables.