The Ocean Conservation, Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century - Summer

Advisor: Kathleen Callahan

This report evaluates the Ocean Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 21) and its potential to reform ocean governance in the United States. Marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from multiple environmental and economic stressors. The report identifies six primary threats affecting ocean ecosystems: climate change, chemical and nutrient pollution, coastal development, habitat destruction, unsustainable fishing practices, and invasive species. These pressures have contributed to declining marine biodiversity and reduced ecosystem services such as fisheries productivity and coastal protection. The analysis also highlights the fragmented structure of ocean governance in the United States, where numerous agencies manage different aspects of marine resources without sufficient coordination. This institutional fragmentation has limited the effectiveness of existing policies aimed at protecting ocean ecosystems.

To address these challenges, the proposed legislation promotes an ecosystem-based management approach that integrates scientific knowledge into policymaking. The report explains that ecosystem-based management focuses on managing entire ecological systems rather than individual resources or sectors. The Act proposes the development of a comprehensive national ocean policy, strengthened leadership by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and improved coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. By incorporating the precautionary principle and adaptive management, the policy framework aims to address environmental problems even when scientific uncertainty remains. The report concludes that integrating scientific research with policy development and improving institutional coordination are critical steps toward restoring marine ecosystem health and ensuring sustainable ocean resource management.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.