Oceans and coasts are severely threatened, domestically and around the world. The Joint Initiative’s primary goal is to accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform. Led by Admiral James D. Watkins (U.S. Navy, Ret.) and The Honorable Leon E. Panetta, the Joint Initiative brings extraordinary expertise, perspective, and diversity of interests to the ocean policy dialogue.The Joint Initiative works with people and organizations at the national, regional, state, and local levels to build durable support for ocean policy reform at all levels of decision making. Through its work the Joint Initiative seeks to expand our collective understanding of the threats facing our oceans and to enable actions that address them so that our oceans remain vibrant and healthy for current and future generations.
Highlights
Changing Oceans, Changing World
Ocean Policy Priorities for a New Administration and Congress
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative has released a paper outlining the ocean policy priorities for a new Administration and Congress. As part of a continuing effort to to catalyze meaningful ocean policy reform, the Joint Initiative strongly urge the incoming administration, as one of its earliest initiatives, to adopt the following agenda for action.
- Establish a coherent national ocean policy and improve federal coordination of ocean science and resource management in order to protect, maintain, and restore ocean health and enhance economic opportunities.
- Invest in ocean science to better understand and predict climate change and its impacts on oceans and coastal economies.
- Bolster U.S. international leadership by acceding to the Law of the Sea Convention in order to secure the country's economic and national security and reestablish the United States as the preeminent steward of ocean health.
To read the full recommendations on ocean policy priorities for a new Administration and Congress follow the link.
Changing Oceans, Changing WorldFrom Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform
In 2003 and 2004, two national Commissions—the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission—released landmark reports on the severe threats facing our oceans and coasts. Upon the release of the two reports, the President and Congress publicly embraced the major recommendations of the Commissions. From Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform addresses the 2006 letter from the United States Senate requesting information for the implementation of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative’s policy recommendations. In these pages, the Joint Initiative outlines its response to three questions posed in the letter:
- What are the top ten actions Congress should take to implement the recommendations made by the two Commissions?
- What are the highest priorities for funding needed to support development and implementation of ocean policies that are consistent with the Commissions’ recommendations?
- What are the priority changes to law and the federal budget process needed to establish a more effective and integrated ocean and coastal governance approach?
Addressing Oceans and Climate Change in Federal Legislation
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative has produced a paper entitled, Addressing Oceans and Climate Change in Federal Legislation. The purpose of this paper is to provide Congress with information and recommendations to support the enactment of legislation that incorporates ocean science, management, and education into a national initiative to mitigate and adapt to climate change. After consultation with leading experts in ocean and climate change science and policy, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative suggests that Congress address the link between oceans and climate change by addressing needs in two key areas: governance reform and science. To read the full report, please follow the link.
An Agenda for Action: Moving Regional Ocean Governance from Theory to Practice
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are pleased to release this new report intended to stimulate the ocean policy community to take concrete steps to create effective and sustained regional ocean governance initiatives. A follow-on product to the jointly convened regional ocean governance workshop in March 2007, the paper also presents an overview of the concepts of marine ecosystem-based management and area-based management, both of which are integral to understanding regional ocean governance.
An Agenda for Action
