Ocean Protection Bill in USA

Ocean Protection Bill in USA





    
 
January 2007  - As the 110th Congress 
opened today with Democrats in control of the House and the 
Senate for the first time in 12 years, a bipartisan oceans 
protection bill was introduced in the House of 
Representatives. 
HR-21, the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National 
Strategy for the 21st Century Act, is known as Oceans-21. It 
would establish a comprehensive National Oceans Policy and 
guiding principles for use and management of U.S. coasts, 
oceans, and Great Lakes and their resources. 
A winter sunset from the Pensacola Beach fishing pier, 
Pensacola, Florida (Photo by Jim Edds courtesy NOAA) 
Oceans-21 was introduced by Congressman Sam Farr, a California 
Democrat who is a co-chair of the bipartisan House Ocean 
Caucus, made up of over 50 members who represent coastal 
areas. 
He was joined on the bill by fellow caucus members, 
Congressmen Tom Allen, a Maine Democrat; and Republicans Wayne 
Gilchrest of Maryland and Jim Saxton of New Jersey. 
"Though our oceans are critical to our survival, they are in 
trouble," said Farr. "On this first day of Congress, we're 
taking an important first step with Oceans-21 to present a 
vision for a strong oceans governance policy, based on our 
better understanding of how our oceans work." 
Congressman Sam Farr of California co-chairs the House Oceans 
Caucus. (Photo courtesy Office of the Congressman) 
Oceans-21 is the product of several years of effort within the 
House to draft bipartisan and comprehensive legislation. 
It would implement key recommendations of the Congressionally 
mandated U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the report of the 
nonprofit Pew Oceans Commission. 
First introduced in the 108th Congress to begin a national 
dialogue on America's coasts and oceans, the bill has now been 
revised based on input from the oceans and fishing 
communities. 
The legislation would authorize the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA. This federal agency was 
created in 1970 by executive order of President Richard Nixon, 
but it has never been authorized by Congress. Its many 
programs are often underfunded. 
Congressman Jim Saxton is a member of the House Oceans Caucus. 
(Photo courtesy Office of the Congressman) 
"The federal government must come together to create a 
coordinated, national approach to ocean policy," said 
Congressman Saxton, a senior member of the House Natural 
Resources Committee, and its Fisheries Conservation and Oceans 
Subcommittee. 
"The road to developing a national ocean policy should be 
flexible, bipartisan and goal-oriented. Congress must find a 
means to address both the conservation and commerce aspects of 
ocean issues. Oceans-21 is a step in the right direction," 
Saxton said. 
Oceans-21 would establish an Oceans and Great Lakes 
Conservation Trust Fund. It builds upon existing regional 
initiatives to act as a clearinghouse for federal, state, and 
local governments to address management needs at an ecosystem 
scale. 
"Our hope is that regional ocean partnerships, which include a 
fair representation of all affected stakeholders, will lead to 
better, more integrated management that reflects regional 
goals and priorities, balances the needs of competing 
industries, and eases coordinated, collaborative response to 
regional issues," said Congressman Allen. 
Pelicans and containership ship seen from near Fort Moultrie, 
Sullivans Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Captain Albert 
Theberge courtesy NOAA) 
Conservationists who recognize the stresses on ocean 
ecosystems support the measure. “Recent scientific studies 
have documented the precipitous decline of our oceans as a 
result of overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, said 
Sarah Chasis, director of NRDC’s Oceans Initiative. “This 
legislation will protect and restore the health of our oceans, 
which we depend on for food, jobs, recreation, and a way of 
life." 
"Representatives Farr, Allen, Saxton and Gilchrest have 
demonstrated the importance of ocean health by introducing 
this key bill in the first hours of the new Congress and we 
look forward to working with them to turn this bill into law," 
said Chasis. 
"Historically, we have not invested in our oceans and Great 
Lakes in a manner that reflects their importance to our 
economy and the well-being of our citizens, and their 
condition is of great concern - the decline of coastal water 
quality, the decline of fisheries, explosions of harmful 
invasive species, and other alarming ocean trends are 
signaling their distress," said Congressman Gilchrest. 
"Oceans-21 is a start for what I believe will be an 
intelligent and deliberative process to create responsive 
national oceans policy, and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues in the Oceans Caucus," Gilchrest said. 
"Our oceans are truly Planet Earth's last frontier, the source 
of food and other critical resources, the arteries of 
international commerce and the life's blood of what has been 
called our big, blue marble," said Congressman Allen. 
"Oceans-21 seeks to foster better stewardship of these 
precious resources."