The National Oceans Protection Act lays out a plan for improving the health, productivity and sustainability of ocean resources and ecosystems. The bill establishes a coordinated, accountable ocean management system designed to protect, maintain and restore the health of the oceans. Among other provisions, the bill also strengthens the role of science in fisheries management, provides increased federal support for coastal habitat restoration and tightens controls on key sources of coastal and ocean pollution....At the heart of the bill is an effort to refocus human activity in the oceans--away from uncoordinated, unsustainable use toward better stewardship, revitalization and recovery.
Coming soon is another bill, to be introduced in the House of Representatives, which will seek to restore the health of ocean ecosystems. The bipartisan Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (OCEANS- 21) is expected to outline a national policy to protect, maintain and restore marine ecosystem health. The bill, which also would establish a system for interagency and federal-state coordination, will contain provisions to improve our nation's approach to ocean science and education.
