The US Ocean Commission's Proposed Recommendations To Address the Health and Management of Our Oceans

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Recommended: The effects that pollution has on the ocean

In 2004 The US Ocean Commission proposed several critical recommendations to address the health and management of our oceans. These recommendations range from better organization of current management offices to education of the public on issues pertaining to oceans and coastal areas. The importance of healthy oceans, waterways, and coastal areas cannot be denied. As humans we rely on these areas for food, fuel, materials for various products, and recreation just to name a few. Aside from the human aspect the health of the earth’s oceans is also bound to the air and land. Many other creatures throughout the world depend on a harmonious balance of the human species with the waters that surrounds us. The sooner we can find equilibrium with nature, the sooner we can rest assured that the oceans will continue to support us well into the future.

The first critical recommendation that we will review is the creation of a National Ocean Council, chaired by an Assistant to the President, and create a Presidential Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy in the Executive Office of the President. The creation of an overseeing council will provide current organizations that manage the oceans with a point of leadership. Basically instead of many state regulated groups reporting to the persons only in their regions they would have a council to report to that has direct connection to the president. Therefore decision makers would be informed and educated through the council enabling the decision makers to decide on topics more proactively and precisely. This would improve the communications between the scientists, and other ocean management organizations in the field with personnel at higher levels of government. Creation of The National Ocean Coun...

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.... Not only that but a number of people will want to become involved proactively perhaps by joining clubs dedicated to the conservation of coastal areas and fisheries. The knowledge of how bad things are or how bad they can be can also help those with money part with some of it for projects pertaining to conservation and resource management. Ultimately we all rely on the oceans of the world. With a resource as generous, beautiful, and as powerful we should learn to live in balance with it so we can continue to accept everything it has to offer. (The US Ocean Counsel, 2004)

Works Cited

The US Ocean Counsel. (2004). US Commission on Ocean policy. USA: US Commission on Ocean policy.

US Dept. Commerce. (2009, June 11). Integrated Ocean Observing System The Basics. Retrieved April 6, 2010, from Integrated Ocean Observing System: http://ioos.gov/about/basics.html

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