Ocean Policy Overview
History and Current Issues
The oceans are in trouble. Our coasts are in trouble. Our marine resources are in trouble. These are the observations on which the 16 Commissioners of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, after completing a portion of its extensive information-gathering process, can readily agree. Observations and Challenges Dramatic increases in population and pollution along our shorelines clearly indicate that the Nation’s capability to manage our coasts is inadequate and yet more critical today than it was 30 years ago when Congress enacted the Coastal Zone Management Act … but what would be required to enhance that capability? The depletion of…
