Letter to the Reader (pdf, 344 Kb)
Executive Summary (pdf, 140 Kb)
Table of Contents (pdf, 140 Kb)
Summary of Recommendations (pdf, 300 Kb)

Part I - Our Oceans: A National Asset (pdf, 996 Kb)

Part II - Blueprint for Change: A New National Ocean Policy Framework (pdf, 774 Kb)

Part III - Ocean Stewardship: The Importance of Education and Public Awareness (pdf, 524 Kb)

Part IV - Living on the Edge: Economic Growth and Conservation along the Coast (pdf, 1173k)

Part V - Clear Waters Ahead: Coastal and Ocean Water Quality (pdf, 992 Kb)

Part VI - Ocean Value and Vitality: Enhancing the Use and Protection of Ocean Resources (pdf, 996 Kb)

Part VII - Science-based Decisions: Advancing Our Understanding of the Oceans (pdf, 698 Kb)

Part VIII - The Global Ocean: U.S. Participation in International Policy (pdf, 388 Kb)

Part IX - Moving Ahead: Implementing a New National Ocean Policy (pdf, 520 Kb)

Part X - Appendices (pdf, 712 Kb)

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Individual Chapters 1-31

Introductory Matter (pdf, 296 Kb)

• Letter to the Reader
• Members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
• Members of the Science Advisory Panel
• Commission Staff
• Acknowledgements

Executive Summary (pdf, 140 Kb)

Contents (pdf, 140 Kb)

Part I Our Oceans: A National Asset

Chapter 1: Recognizing Ocean Assets and Challenges (pdf, 488 Kb)
Evaluating the Vast Wealth of U.S. Oceans and Coasts
Undermining America’s Ocean and Coastal Assets
Acting Today for Tomorrow’s Generations

Chapter 2: Understanding the Past to Shape a New National Ocean Policy: Understanding the Past to Shape a New National Ocean Policy (pdf, 208 Kb)
Ocean Policy from World War II to the Oceans Act of 2000
Launching the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

Chapter 3: Setting the Nation’s Sights (pdf, 204k)
Imagining a Brighter Future
Building Ocean Policy on Sound Guiding Principles
Translating Principles into Policy

Primer on Ocean Jurisdictions: Drawing Lines in the Water (pdf, 188 Kb)

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Part II Blueprint for Change: A New National Ocean Policy Framework

Chapter 4: Enhancing Ocean Leadership and Coordination (pdf, 400 Kb)
Making Improvements at the National Level
Making Improvements at the Regional Level

Chapter 5: Advancing a Regional Approach (pdf, 144 Kb)
Addressing Issues Crossing Jurisdictional Lines
Facilitating Regional Organization
Enhancing Regional Research and Information

Chapter 6: Coordinating Management in Federal Waters> (pdf, 148 Kb)
Meeting Growing Needs
Clarifying Offshore Responsibilities
Establishing a Coordinated Offshore Management Regime
Employing Marine Protected Areas as a Management Tool

Chapter 7: Strengthening the Federal Agency Structure (pdf, 180 Kb)
Reorganizing to Support an Ecosystem-based Management Approach
Reviewing Previous Reorganization Proposals
Strengthening NOAA: Phase I
Consolidating Ocean and Coastal Programs: Phase II
Managing all Natural Resources in an Ecosystem-based -Management Approach: Phase III

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Part III Ocean Stewardship: The Importance of Education and Public Awareness

Chapter 8: Promoting Lifelong Ocean Education (pdf, 328 Kb)
Strengthening the Nation’s Ocean Awareness
Building a Collaborative Ocean Education Network
Incorporating Oceans into K-12 Education
Investing in Higher Education and the Future Ocean Workforce
Bringing the Ocean and Coasts to All Americans

Part IV Living on the Edge: Economic Growth and Conservation along the Coast

Chapter 9: Managing Coasts and their Watersheds (pdf, 180 Kb)
Attracting Crowds, Creating Opportunities
Strengthening Coastal Planning and Management
Linking Coastal and Watershed Management
Linking Coastal and Offshore Management
Increasing Understanding of Coastal Ecosystems

Chapter 10: Guarding People and Property against Natural Hazards (pdf, 160 Kb)
Assessing the Growing Cost of Natural Hazards
Improving Federal Management of Hazards in Coastal Areas

Chapter 11: Conserving and Restoring Coastal Habitat (pdf, 208 Kb)
Assessing the Threats to Coastal Habitat
Conserving Coastal Habitat
Restoring Coastal Habitat
Improving Habitat Conservation and Restoration
Enhancing Information and Understanding
Protecting the Nation’s Wetlands: A Special Case

Chapter 12: Managing Sediments and Shorelines (pdf, 160 Kb)
Understanding the Dual Nature of Sediment
Federal Roles in Sediment Management
Altering Sediments through Human Intervention
Developing Regional Strategies for Sediment Management
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Dredging
Improving Understanding, Assessment, and Treatment

Chapter 13: Supporting Marine Commerce and Transportation (pdf, 652 Kb)
Connecting People, Places, and Products
Positioning the U.S. Marine Transportation System for the Future

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Part V Clear Waters Ahead: Coastal and Ocean Water Quality

Chapter 14: Addressing Coastal Water Pollution (pdf, 376k)
Stopping the Degradation of Coastal Waters
Reducing Point Sources of Pollution
Increasing the Focus on Nonpoint Sources of Pollution
Addressing Atmospheric Sources of Pollution

Chapter 15: Creating a National Water Quality Monitoring Network (pdf, 184 Kb)
Recognizing the Value of Water Quality Monitoring
Monitoring at the Federal Level
Promoting Interagency Coordination
Ensuring Comprehensive, Coordinated Coverage
Creating an Effective Monitoring Network
Making Data Accessible and Useful

Chapter 16: Limiting Vessel Pollution and Improving Vessel Safety (pdf, 176 Kb)
Assessing the Benefits and Risks of Vessel Activities
Strengthening Vessel Safety, Security, and Environmental Compliance
Reducing Vessel Pollution
Increasing Knowledge to Guide Change

Chapter 17: Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species (pdf, 328 Kb)
Acknowledging the Problem
Assessing Existing Approaches
Identifying Major Pathways for Introduction of Non-native Species
Making Prevention the First Line of Defense
Accelerating Detection and Response
Improving the Control of Invasive Species

Chapter 18: Reducing Marine Debris (pdf, 148 Kb)
Assessing the Sources and Consequences of Marine Debris
Addressing Marine Debris Nationally
Eliminating Derelict Fishing Gear
Ensuring Appropriate Port Reception Facilities

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Part VI Ocean Value and Vitality:
Enhancing the Use and Protection of Ocean Resources

Chapter 19: Achieving Sustainable Fisheries (pdf, 424 Kb)
Contemplating Thirty Years of Fishery Management
Building Sustainable Fisheries Based on Sound Science
Strengthening Fishery Governance
Ending the Race for Fish
Improving Fishery Enforcement
Moving Toward an Ecosystem-based Management Approach
Managing International Fisheries

Chapter 20: Protecting Marine Mammals and Endangered Marine Species (pdf, 164 Kb)
Assessing the Threats to Marine Populations
Reviewing Authorities and Responsibilities
Identifying and Overcoming Gaps in Protection
Expanding Research and Education
Applying Ecosystem-based Management Principles

Chapter 21: Preserving Coral Reefs and Other Coral Communities (pdf, 168 Kb)
Assessing the Status of Coral Ecosystems
Managing U.S. Coral Resources
Promoting International Coral Reef Initiatives
Improving Understanding of Coral Ecosystems

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Chapter 22: Setting a Course for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture (pdf, 152 Kb)
Acknowledging the Growing Significance of Marine Aquaculture
Addressing the Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture
Dealing with Uncertainties in the Existing Management Structure
Developing a New Marine Aquaculture Management Framework
Increasing the Knowledge Base
Promoting International Improvements and Cooperation

Chapter 23: Connecting the Oceans and Human Health (pdf, 196 Kb)
Understanding the Links between the Oceans and Human Health
Maximizing the Beneficial Uses of Marine-derived Bioproducts
Reducing the Negative Impacts of Marine Microorganisms
Increasing Federal Coordination on Oceans and Human Health

Chapter 24: Managing Offshore Energy and Other Mineral Resources (pdf, 252 Kb)
Exercising Jurisdiction over Nonliving Resources in Federal Waters
Managing Offshore Oil and Gas Resources
Assessing the Potential of Offshore Methane Hydrates
Developing Offshore Renewable Energy Resources
Managing Other Marine Minerals

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Part VII Science-based Decisions: Advancing Our Understanding of the Oceans

Chapter 25: Creating a National Strategy for Increasing Scientific Knowledge (pdf, 248 Kb)
Fortifying the Foundations of Ocean Understanding
Establishing a National Strategy
Advancing Ocean and Coastal Research
Building a National Ocean Exploration Program
Coordinating and Consolidating Marine Operations

Chapter 26: Achieving a Sustained, Integrated Ocean Observing System (pdf, 232 Kb)
Making the Case for an Integrated Ocean Observing System
Assessing Existing Observing Systems
Committing to the Creation of the IOOS
Creating a Governance Structure for the IOOS
Reaching Out to the User Community
Assembling the Elements of a Successful IOOS
Funding the National IOOS
Strengthening Earth Observations through National and International Partnerships

Chapter 27: Enhancing Ocean Infrastructure and Technology Development (pdf, 176 Kb)
Advancing Ocean and Coastal Science with Modern Tools
Improving Infrastructure and Technology
Funding the Modernization of Critically Needed Assets
Creating Virtual Marine Technology Centers

Chapter 28: Modernizing Ocean Data and Information Systems (pdf, 180 Kb)
Turning Oceans of Data into Useful Products
Reviewing the Data Management Structure
Coping with the Flood of Incoming Data
Reinventing Data and Information Management
Meeting the Challenges of a New Century

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Part VIII The Global Ocean: U.S. Participation in International Policy

Chapter 29: Advancing International Ocean Science and Policy (pdf, 176 Kb)
Acting Globally to Save the Oceans
Reviewing the Evolution of the International Ocean Regime
Developing and Implementing International Policy
Enhancing International Ocean Science
Building International Capacity in Ocean Science and Management

Part IX Moving Ahead: Implementing a New National Ocean Policy

Chapter 30: Funding Needs and Possible Sources (pdf, 140 Kb)
Investing in Change
Acknowledging the Cost of Taking Action
Using Revenue from Ocean Sources for Improved Ocean Management

Chapter 31: Summary of Recommendations (pdf, 298 Kb)

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Part X: Appendices

Note: Appendices A-E are bound within the Preliminary Report

A. Oceans Act of 2000 (pdf, 348 Kb)

B. Acronyms (pdf,240 Kb)

C. Living Near and Making a Living From the Oceans by Charlie S. Colgan (pdf, 460 Kb)

D. Guide to Ocean-related Laws, Programs, Councils, Commissions, International Treaties and Inter-governmental Bodies (to be completed for the Final Report)

E. Proposed Structure for Coordination of Federal Ocean Activities (pdf, 252 Kb)