Definitions
・ National Ocean and Coastal Policy
- A purposive course of action-the goals, plans, and procedures followed largely by governments-in response to a set of perceived problems (or opportunities) related to the oceans and coasts
- Set by interaction of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government through identification of goals and development of procedures and organizations to use the Nation's ocean and coastal resources and protect their environments
National Interest in Ocean and Coastal Areas
・ Population
- Over 55% in coastal areas
- Largest cities and industrial centers in coastal areas
・ Offshore Oil & Gas
- 20% of crude oil production;
25% of natural gas production (1998)Presidential ban on offshore leasing in sensitive areas until 2012
・ Coastal Tourism & Recreation
- Largest and fastest growing sector of service industry - accounting for 85% of tourism revenues
・ Marine Transportation
- Expected to double over the next 20 years
・ Commercial Fisheries
- 25% of US fish stocks are over-fished
- 85% of commercially- harvested species depend on coastal waters as critical habitat
- From 1975-99, the number of marine species or stocks listed as threatened or endangered has increased from 20-61
