Joint Initiative News
Securing the Future of America’s Oceans
June 20, 2013
Today, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative released a report entitled Charting the Course: Securing the Future of America’s Oceans, that calls on President Obama and Congress to improve the management of our ocean resources. The report describes specific recommendations for the Administration and Congress that prioritize areas where short-term progress can be readily achieved. The report outlines measures for immediate implementation that focus on four action areas:
- Enhance the resiliency of coastal communities and ocean ecosystems to dramatic changes underway in our oceans and on our coasts
- Promote ocean renewable energy development and reinvest in our oceans
- Support state and regional ocean and coastal priorities
- Improve Arctic research and management
If implemented, these measures will strengthen ocean-dependent economies, protect coastal communities and provide new opportunities for growth in thriving oceans. The Joint Initiative also urges that the Administration and Congress build off of the blueprint set by the National Ocean Policy and make oceans a priority.
These recommendations set the stage for a future assessment by the Joint Initiative of progress in implementing actions that will ensure our oceans and coasts are healthy and vibrant to support our future.
Joint Initiative Applauds National Ocean Policy Implementation Planbr /> April 2013
On April 16, the National Ocean Council released the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan provides a solid foundation for coordination and improved management of ocean resources. The Joint Initiative Co-Chairs Bill Ruckelshaus and Norm Mineta released the following statement on behalf of the Leadership Council.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Leadership Council applauds the National Ocean Council’s release of its National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan. Executing this plan will improve management of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes and help ensure our vital ocean resources are able to support the communities, businesses and ecosystems that rely on them now and into the future. By incorporating the most advanced scientific knowledge in the field and focusing on increasing efficiency and effectiveness of governmental decision making, the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan offers a stronger, simpler path to healthy, well-managed oceans. We appreciate the thoughtful work the National Ocean Council has done to include feedback from all sectors and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve our economy, our environment and our national security.
The National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan can be found White House website here
Joint Initiative Leadership Featured in Sea Technology
January 2013
Joint Initiative Co-Chair Norm Mineta and Leadership Council member Robert Gagosian both authored articles that appeared in the January 2013 issue of Sea Technology Magazine. Mr. Mineta’s article is titled “The National Ocean Policy Fosters Collaboration for Healthier Oceans” and Dr. Gagosian’s article is titled “Prioritizing Ocean Sciences in A Challenging Funding Environment.” Click here to view the issue and the articles.
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. 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.
