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Coming soon to an estuary near you

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Seeks Scientists' Advice

Adrienne Froelich*
afroelich@aibs.org

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is a 16-member body created under the Oceans Act of 2000 to study and recommend a new national ocean policy. The Commission's second meeting in November was a scoping session for the commissioners, who are charged to conduct a detailed review of existing and planned U.S. ocean and coastal programs and activities.

The Commission's scope is to provide recommendations to the President and Congress for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy for a broad range of issues, from the stewardship of marine resources and pollution prevention to enhancing and supporting marine science, commerce, and transportation.

The November hearing was attended by five members of Congress and 26 industry, conservation and scientific organizations who presented information on many issues including the need for increased funding for ocean exploration and for improved fisheries management. Several presenters endorsed the former oceans commission recommendation (i.e., the Stratton Commission, which operated in the late 1960s) for an independent agency to regulate and manage all aspects of the oceans, including the Coast Guard, fisheries, research funding, coastal zone management and marine sanctuaries.

Several presenters raised the concept of ocean zoning as a way to minimize conflicts between recreational and commercial fishing, aquaculture operations, oil and gas operations, and conservation areas.

The 2-day session yielded immediate results for those advocating ratification of the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea, a treaty that the United States signed in 1982, but has yet to ratify. After several presentations on the topic, the Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to encourage the Bush Administration and the U.S. Senate to move quickly to ratify the treaty. According to witness testimony, the Bush Administration supports the move.

First regional meeting in Charleston in January 14-16
The Commission will hold its first regional meeting in January. Commission member, and long-term Federation member, Paul Sandifer director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will host that meeting. This first regional meeting is on ERF president Dennis Allen's turf, on behalf of ERF Dennis will provide information about promoting estuarine research and management at that meeting. Please contact Dennis or Adrienne Froelich (afroelich@aslo.org) if you would like to participate in this or subsequent regional meetings of the Commission.

The tentative schedule for the regional meetings is listed below.
· January 14-16: Charleston (more information about this meeting)
· February: Tampa Bay
· March: New Orleans
· April: Los Angeles
· May: Honolulu
· June: Seattle
· July: Boston
· August: Anchorage
· September: Chicago
More information is available at: www.oceancommission.gov.

Sources: Congressional Green Sheet, American Geological Institute, American Institute of Biological Sciences.
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* Adrienne Froelich was recently hired as an aquatic public policy analyst by ASLO/AIBS with support from the Federation and 12 other societies who have similar concerns. Adrienne is based in the ASLO/AIBS office in Washington, DC.