The oceans, our coasts and our marine resources are in trouble, perhaps serious trouble. But there are many opportunities to address our current problems with innovative solutions and a coordinated national ocean policy. That is the conclusion of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's mid-term report. The report, "Developing a National Ocean Policy," delivered on September 16, 2002, to the President and to Congressional leaders, highlights key observations and challenges gleaned from the Commission's six initial public meetings. The publication of that report was a major milestone for the 16-member Commission and a productive first step in our mission to develop a coherent, comprehensive national ocean policy.

Watkins, J.D. 2002. United States Commission on Ocean Policy. Oceanography 15(4):4–6, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2002.01.

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