Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has introduced the National Oceans Protection Act, comprehensive legislation to protect our oceans and the Great Lakes.

Senator Boxer said, “Our oceans have a tremendous impact on almost every aspect of our lives – our economy, our food, our health, our climate and weather – but they are becoming increasingly degraded and endangered by human activities.  This legislation provides a comprehensive approach to ocean management and protection -- ensuring that Americans can enjoy the beauty and majesty of our oceans for generations to come and that our coastal economy can continue to develop and thrive.”

Eight years ago this week, Congress passed the Oceans Act of 2000, which established the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.  The Commission issued reports along with the independent Pew Oceans Commission, and their combined Joint Oceans Commission Initiative (JOCI) outlined the serious threats facing our nation’s oceans and the actions needed to protect them.  The JOCI gave the U.S. an average grade of C in its 2007 report card assessing progress towards implementing its recommendations – with particularly low grades on national ocean governance reform, federal coordination of regional efforts, ocean research and education, and funding. 

Senator Boxer continued, “Our oceans are some of our greatest natural resources, and eight years after the Oceans Act of 2000 was signed into law we have not taken the necessary steps to preserve and protect them.”   

Senator Boxer’s bill will:

Codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has operated under executive order since 1970, create a National Oceans Advisor to the President, and enhance coordination among federal agencies on ocean policy.

Establish Regional Ocean Partnerships to promote collaboration among states and the federal government in protecting ocean resources and an Oceans and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund to provide funding to states for ocean management.

Expand NOAA’s role in education, promote greater regional collaboration on ocean research, and create federal coordinating committees to develop priorities and strategies for ocean research and education.

Senator Boxer first introduced this legislation in 2005.

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