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WASHINGTON, DC - The US Commission on Ocean Policy has completed an exhaustive overview of existing marine programs and policies and has developed a framework for finalizing its recommendations on how to resolve the nation's most pressing ocean issues.
Unlike the Pew Oceans Commission, which recently concluded a similar study on its own, Congress, through the Oceans Act of 2000, created the ocean policy commission and President Bush appointed its members.
The US Commission on Ocean Policy has been compared to the Stratton Commission of the late 1960s, which was the last group to tackle the immense task of recommending a coordinated, comprehensive policy for the responsible use and stewardship of the nation's ocean and coastal resources.
The commission is expected to issue its report to Congress and the president in the fall.
"It will be a balanced report that not only examines the activities, laws, and regulations affecting coastal and ocean management, but also recognizes the interplay among ecological, social, and economic factors," said commission Chair James Watkins, a retired Navy admiral, in a June 2 statement.
"Our recommendations will be actionable and cost effective, not pie-in-the-sky ideas that won't see the light of day," he added.
Generally speaking, the commission is expected to recommend elevating oceans management concerns to the White House level and moving toward ecosystem-based management.
It is also expected to recommend a substantial investment in ocean sciences, as well as a strategy to promote ocean awareness and stewardship through all levels of education, from young children to post-graduate students.
Consideration of Pew
How will the US Commission on Ocean Policy deal with the Pew Oceans Commission report?
According to a statement issued on June 4 by Watkins, it will examine the Pew document "closely" and give it "serious consideration."
However, Watkins stressed that his commission, which was created by Congress and appointed by the president, will be taking a much wider perspective in recommending US policy for future ocean management.
Here are a few excerpts from Watkins' statement.
"The Pew commission had a prestigious team of individuals develop their report, including a most able chairman (former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta). ... We applaud their commitment to a shared concern over the world's oceans and their dedication to achieving sustainability of the resources of the sea.
"The Pew Oceans Commission report is an important document adding substance to the growing body of knowledge on ocean issues. Their report focuses on selected issues this nation should address regarding national ocean policy.
"On the other hand, the mandate given to the US Commission on Ocean Policy by Congress is much broader than the scope of the work Pew determined for itself. Our report not only will include many of these same issues, but others not discussed by the Pew report."
The table of contents and other supporting documents explaining US Commission on Ocean Policy deliberations to date are available on the commission's web site at www.oceancommission.gov.
