June 8, 1998

WHEREAS, healthy oceans are critical to the well-being of all life on the planet;

WHEREAS, human activities have degraded the quality and productivity of ocean ecosystems and diminished abundance of marine life and threaten its future vitality;

WHEREAS, knowledge, education and public support are prerequisites to effective protection, restoration and enhancement of ocean ecosystems;

WHEREAS, the United States of America has technological and research capabilities, and human and fiscal resources necessary to provide international leadership and assistance in efforts to establish and implement responsible ocean environmental stewardship initiatives;

WHEREAS, the United States needs a comprehensive ocean stewardship program for the marine waters of its Exclusive Economic Zone that includes conservation and environmentally sustainable economic use policies and that includes coordinated system of governance that takes into account needs of national security, commerce, environmental protection, recreational use, sustainable use of living resources, education, exploration and research;

WHEREAS, successful federal and state coastal zone management programs clearly demonstrate the social, economic and environmental value of responsible, comprehensive environmental stewardship initiatives; and

WHEREAS, President Clinton, Vice-president Gore and other national leaders have convened the National Ocean Conference to be held in Monterey, California, on June 11 and 12, 1998, to review, discuss, evaluate and take action on various ocean stewardship issues;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Coastal Commission respectfully urges President Clinton to provide national and international leadership by announcing Administration support for the following initiatives:

1. National Ocean Policy Initiative — Establishment of a National Ocean Policy Commission to prepare recommendations for a comprehensive ocean stewardship program that includes policies for the responsible conservation and use of ocean resources for the benefit of current and future generations, and for a coordinated governance structure that takes into account the interests of states and local government.

2. National Science Education Program: SeaCamp Monterey Bay — Establishment of SeaCamp Monterey Bay that will provide multiple public benefits, including, in-residence learning opportunities focused on coastal and marine sciences for students of all ages and economic means from throughout the country. SeaCamp Monterey Bay will enhance public understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems, promote careers in science, teach teachers who will take lessons back to their classrooms around the country, allow families to learn together, encourage public-private partnerships, promote sound reuse of former military lands and facilities, take advantage of the unique resources of the many marine research laboratories and institutions of higher learning in the region, and build on broad community support and be a prototype for a national system of science camps.

SeaCamp Monterey Bay, as a prototype for a National System of Science Camps, will be a great step forward in helping this nation meet the challenges in President Clinton’s Call to action for American Education in the 21st Century and in the President’s Year of the Ocean Proclamation.

3. Research and Exploration — Commitment of new fiscal and institutional resources for research and exploration to advance understanding and knowledge about ocean environments and resources, and to enhance conservation and revitalization of fisheries, protection of marine water quality, and preservation of threatened and endangered marine life.

4. An Agenda for the Oceans — Commitment of action to address the widely supported An Agenda for the Oceans spearheaded by the Center for Marine Conservation.

5. Coastal Zone ‘99 — Target Coastal Zone ‘99, the premier biennial national and international symposium on coastal zone management, to be held in San Diego, California, in July 1999, as the forum to review and evaluate progress in achieving the agenda for action resulting from Ocean Summit Monterey.

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