Reports
One of the primary goals of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is to provide unbiased, expert advice on coastal and ocean policy and legislation at the federal, state, and local levels. In many instances the Joint Initiative issues reports in response to requests from agencies or legislators. Joint Initiative reports provide insight and practical action-oriented recommendations on particular approaches and reforms needed to promote ocean health. The following reports and white papers address four of the Joint Initiative’s priority areas: regional ocean governance reform (An Agenda for Action), the links between oceans and climate change (Addressing Oceans and Climate Change in Federal Legislation), as well as national ocean governance reform and new funding for ocean policy and research (From Sea to Shining Sea). In 2008 the Joint Initiative will produce a report with recommendations about how local and elected officials can advance implementation of the Commissions’ recommendations. This report is being produced at the request of a group of state and local elected officials in California, Oregon, and Washington.
From Sea to Shining Sea In March 2006 the Joint Initiative received a request from a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators to outline the top ten actions Congress should take to implement the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission. The Senators also solicited a set of funding priorities and necessary changes to laws and the budget process in order to support the implementation of the recommendations. From Sea to Shining Sea directly addresses the Senators’ request and identifies actions and funding priorities needed at the federal level to ensure ocean health and promote ocean science, research, and education.
An Agenda for Action The Joint Initiative produced An Agenda for Action in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans based on the discussions and outcomes from a March 2007 workshop on regional ocean governance. Leaders and experts from emerging and established regional ocean governance initiatives around the country were asked to identify the practical steps needed to strengthen and expand the capacity of regions to work collaboratively toward improved ocean and coastal health. An Agenda for Action proposes concrete actions for advancing regional ocean governance.
Addressing Oceans and Climate Change in Federal Legislation In July 2007 the Joint Initiative authored a white paper on the important link between oceans and climate change in order to encourage more ocean provisions in climate change legislation. The paper, entitled Addressing Oceans and Climate Change in Federal Legislation, outlines policies and strategies intended to increase the resiliency of our economic and ecological systems in the face of the impacts associated with oceans and climate change.
