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1) Discuss the recommendations of the US Commission on Ocean Policy, why they are important, and what they hope to achieve

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1) Discuss the recommendations of the US Commission on Ocean Policy, why they are important, and what they hope to achieve. The US Commission on Ocean Policy believed that the US ocean and coastal resources should be managed to show the relationships among all the components of the ecosystem. The ecosystem includes all living things and the environment in which they thrive. Therefore, the recommendations covers a very broad range of issues including the oceans’ physical attributes, involvement of coastal communities in decision-making, effect of oceans on climate, offshore gas development (US Commission on Ocean Policy).

The first major recommendation is the formation of a new ocean policy framework to improve the coordination of the federal ocean management groups and the decision-making process. This means that the different agencies should work together, new agencies having more effective programs should be created, and redundant agency programs must be removed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should be strengthened to allow it to meet many of its ocean-related responsibilities. With this, a streamlined, better and more effective management of ocean resources can be achieved.

The second major recommendation was to strengthen the scientific research and better dissemination of results from scientific research. Compared to other countries, scientific researches on the oceans have lagged. The recommendation calls for more research funding, more exploration, technology development, and improved management of information. Scientific findings provide the basis for new policies, and careful and relevant decision-making, and more importantly, educational material.

The enhancement of public education on ocean ecosystems is the third major recommendation. With this, the Commission hoped to promote learning and awareness of ocean ecosystems, through formal and informal education, with the final goal of giving even the youth, in particular, a sense of stewardship for this resource. Formal educational systems should introduce students to oceans and their roles in the world’s ecosystems, and provide them the opportunities to decide on careers that involve ocean science and technology.

Other recommendations deal with the management of coastal and ocean ecosystems towards better management of natural resources and improved lives of the communities near the ocean. A balance between conservation of the ocean ecosystem and economic opportunities of the local community can be achieved by empowering coastal management. These recommendations hope to achieve better fishery management and control of offshore activities, reduction in ocean pollution, and improvement of human and marine health.

2. Which if any, of these recommendations would you implement first, and why? Explain the scientific and societal basis for your choice.

The recommendation that I would implement first would be education, with emphasis on the effect of oceans on our economy and well-being, even for that part of the population residing inland. Educating people on the economic benefits and the far-reaching environmental effects of ocean ecosystems should be a major thrust considering that Earth is covered with 70% ocean. Promoting education and as a consequence, research, will enhance the thrust towards an interdisciplinary approach in facing the issues in ocean policy and conservation (Public Comments on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy’s Preliminary Report).

The youth of today will be the policy-makers, researchers, scientists and citizens of the future. Molding their minds on the value of the oceans will help shape their decisions and actions on issues affecting the ocean ecosystems. At the more basic level, the mere introduction of marine organisms and marine life will perk up interest even in the very young children. Knowledge on the effects of human activities like gas operations, over-fishing and pollution will provide the youth an early sense of stewardship over this resource. This will shape them into becoming better citizens of the future.

Education is also the foundation for research and scientific endeavors. Providing a major focus of education will encourage higher educational institutions to embark on research work that focus on the different aspects of oceans research. Moreover, the recommendation will increase funding for courses in oceanography, leading to careers in marine science, ocean conservation, and other similar degrees. Thus, the benefits of focusing on education will be rolled many times over, spreading to other fields, improving societal beliefs, and ultimately leading to the preservation of the ocean ecosystems.