What's New: To receive these updates and announcements by email, manage your subscription, or review the mailing list archive, go to the NCSE List User Form. U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Emphasizes Ecosystem-Based Management April 20, 2004—Our current system for managing oceans and coasts is highly fragmented and major changes are urgently needed, according to a preliminary report released on April 20 by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.  Admiral James D. Watkins (ret.), Chair of the Commission, said that adopting the recommendations in the report would create "a sustainable future for our oceans and coasts."  The congressionally mandated report is widely viewed as the first comprehensive review of U.S. ocean policy in 35 years.     Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) lauded the report as "a bold new vision for exploring, managing and protecting our oceans."  Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC) noted that several ocean bills were backed up in Congress awaiting guidance from the Commission.     Ecosystem-based management is a guiding principle of the report, which says, "U.S. ocean and coastal resources should be managed to reflect the relationships among all ecosystem components, including human and nonhuman species and the environments in which they live.  Applying this principle will require defining relevant geographic management areas based on ecosystem, rather than political, boundaries."     The Commission's recommendations focus on three crosscutting themes: (1) creating a new national ocean policy framework to improve decisionmaking; (2) strengthening science and generating high-quality, accessible information for decisionmakers; and (3) enhancing ocean education to instill citizens with a stewardship ethic.    To coordinate federal ocean programs, the Commission recommends establishing a National Ocean Council (NOC) within the Executive Office of the President.  The NOC would be composed of relevant cabinet secretaries and agency directors.  A non-federal Presidential Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy would provide a voice for academia, business, and state, tribal, and local governments.     The Commission proposes a three phase plan for strengthening ocean management within the federal government.  In phase 1, NOAA would be strengthened, reconfigured, and solidified as the nation's lead civilian oceans agency through an organic act.  In phase 2, selected federal oceans programs would be consolidated in NOAA.  In phase 3, a new department of the federal government would be created to manage air, land and water resources together.  The last phase is envisioned as a goal for the distant future.     The Commission recommends more investigation into how marine ecosystems function, and how human activities are involved.  The report highlights the dearth of social and economic research related to ocean issues.  Overall, ocean research now accounts for 3.5 percent of federal research spending, down from 7 percent 25 years ago.  The Commission recommends a doubling of the current federal investment in ocean research over five years, from approximately $650 million in FY 2004 to $1.3 billion.      Ocean education, for policymakers and the public, is a critical part of the Commission's plan.  The Commission notes that "High quality ocean education programs—programs that result in lifelong learning, an adequate and diverse workforce, informed decisionmakers, improved science literacy, and a sense of stewardship for ocean and coastal resources—will be needed to support a new national ocean policy."  In addition to cultivating a societal ocean stewardship ethic, ocean education could be used to engage students in science and math.   The 514 page preliminary report contains 197 recommendations and was informed by testimony from 440 experts.  Public comments on the Ocean Commission's preliminary report are being accepted until May 21, 2004.  The full report and instructions for submitting comments are available online at http://oceancommission.gov.   Craig Schiffries and Amanda Brewster National Council for Science and the Environment 1707 H Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006 Tel: 202-530-5810 Email: policy@NCSEonline.org Web: www.NCSEonline.org

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