New Marine Policy Would Establish Coordinated Management Structure for Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes

This could be a huge step into the right direction.

"In 2003 and 2004, reports issued by the Pew Oceans Commission and the US Commission on Ocean Policy, respectively, warned that poor management and lack of coordination among federal agencies were threatening the health and economic productivity of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.

The new policy would be implemented through a newly established National Ocean Council that would coordinate management activities for US ocean waters, coastal zones and Great Lakes. Marine management under this policy would be “ecosystem-based,” meaning regulation of specific activities, such as oil and gas development, would take into account impacts on the broader ecosystems that could be affected. The policy would also for the first time employ “marine spatial planning,” which would protect ocean ecosystems and minimize conflicts between new and existing ocean uses through science-based decision making and the involvement of stakeholders and the public."

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