The United States has jurisdiction over 3.4 million square nautical miles of ocean territory in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area larger than the combined land area of all fifty states. This vast territory encompasses a rich diversity of living marine resources that are important to the economy, quality of life and health of coastal and ocean ecosystems.

In 2004, the U.S Commission on Ocean Policy reported that our oceans are in serious trouble from a variety of threats including coastal pollution, poorly planned coastal development, habitat degradation, invasive species, and unsustainable fishing levels and practices. The Commission’s overarching recommendation to Congress was to create a national ocean policy to protect, maintain and restore marine ecosystem health and to implement that policy by strengthening federal leadership, enhancing coordination among federal and regional actions affecting the ocean, and securing permanent funding for sustainable ocean management.

Members of Congress have introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to enact the Commission’s recommendations for a national ocean policy, but without success up to now. In the House of Representatives, The Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (OCEANS-21) was first introduced as H.R. 21 in 2007 by Representative Sam Farr (D-CA). The bill was subsequently reworked and has been re- introduced as H.R. 21 in the 111th Congress, where it is currently being considered in the Natural Resources Committee. In the Senate, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has re-introduced a companion to H.R. 21 entitled the National Oceans Protection Act of 2009 (S. 858).

The Marine Fish Conservation Network supports efforts by the White House and Congress to establish an Ocean and Great Lakes Governance System for the 21st Century. To ensure the health and economic viability of our oceans and coasts, the United States needs an ecosystem-based management approach to national ocean policy that is based on the stewardship of the public trust and designed to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Crucial to this policy and key to ensuring the environmental sustainability and economic viability of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes is improved coordination and review among Federal, State, tribal, and local authorities, a strategy for implementation that includes a framework for comprehensive planning of activities in our coastal and Great Lakes, and an Ocean and Great Lakes Trust Fund to support management, science, and education efforts.