Oceans 21 Returns As Oceanic Crisis Grows Worse
Pollution, habitat degradation, overfishing and climate change have brought the world’s oceans into a severe ecological crisis that is getting worse year by year. Dead zones are expanding. Coral reefs are dying. Fish populations are crashing. Unfortunately, the government’s approach to dealing with the crisis is not keeping pace.
Last year, legislation to start the work of organizing a comprehensive effort to confront the marine ecological crisis was introduced into the House of Representatives: H.R. 21 – commonly referred to as Oceans 21. Oceans 21 would:
- Establish a national oceans policy
- Strengthen the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to assess and address the marine ecological crisis
- Establish a national oceans advisor and committee on ocean policy to work on solutions
- Facilitate regional coordination for a cooperative approach for ocean policy
- Establish an Oceans and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund
Unfortunately, even thought the legislation was approved by the the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee On Fisheries, Wildlife And Oceans, Congress never brought the measure to a full vote.
The legislation’s author, U.S. Representative Sam Farr, isn’t giving up. He’s reintroduced Oceans 21 this year, and so far he has 30 cosponsors for the legislation.
The Democrats don’t have the excuse of a Republican majority in Congress any more. They don’t have the excuse of a Republican President who can stop their legislation with a veto. It’s time to get Oceans 21 passed and signed into law.
