Washington, D.C. – Today, during Capitol Hill Oceans Week, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative released its 2012 U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card, praising state and regional efforts to implement the National Ocean Policy but signaling that overall implementation has fallen short of expectations and Congress needs to show more leadership on the issue. John Podesta, Chair of the Center for American Progress and Member of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Leadership Council, issued the following statement:
“The U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card 2012 released today by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is an important barometer for recognizing the progress achieved to date in implementing the National Ocean Policy and the benchmarks that are yet to be reached. When fully implemented, this bipartisan policy will streamline government oversight of our ocean and coastal space, pave the way for investment in sensible development and economic growth, and protect some of our most treasured natural resources. As numerous coast states that support the policy have recognized, these benefits and the jobs that go with them can’t be realized without adequate investment. Defunding important programs and throwing up roadblocks for the National Ocean Policy harms ocean industries, costs American jobs, and entrenches inefficient federal bureaucracy.”
The Joint Ocean Commission initiative issued a C for national support and leadership on ocean management, an F for failure of the Senate to provide its advice and consent to the President to join the Law of the Sea Convention, and a D- for the lack of federal funding provided to fully implement this critical national policy. In addition to issuing grades in a total of five key categories, the report card makes 15 recommendations to the Administration, Congress, and the states on how to improve these grades going forward. To review all of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative’s recommendations, as well as the full list of grades in each category of ocean policy reform, please visit www.jointoceancommission.org.
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To speak to John Podesta or other CAP experts, please contact Christina DiPasquale at 202.481.8181 or [email protected].
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