
The United States government made progress last year in advancing the cause of healthier oceans -- but not much.
The 2006 Ocean Policy Report Card, issued Tuesday by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, gave the federal government a grade of C-minus, up marginally from a D-plus for 2005.
The initiative, a combined effort by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, is led by retired Adm. James D. Watkins and Leon Panetta, former Central Coast congressman and Clinton administration chief of staff. Its mission is to evaluate progress toward protecting marine resources.
"To raise the grade in 2007, we need much more progress from Congress and the administration," said Panetta.
The C-minus was arrived at by averaging grades in six component subjects: C-minus for national ocean governance; A-minus for state governance; D-minus for international leadership; D-plus for research and science efforts; B-plus for fisheries management; and F for new funding.
In addressing funding and research, Watkins highlighted the need to investigate the ocean's role in climate change.
"We are trying to fight climate change with one arm tied behind our back," he said.
The report said the U.S. scored poorly in international leadership because of the failure of the previous Republican-controlled Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In the category of fisheries management, the U.S. earned a B-plus for setting a firm deadline to end overfishing with the passage of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act.
The A-minus awarded for state governance was the highest mark, with the California Ocean Protection Council getting special mention.
"In the race to preserve our oceans, the states are outdistancing the federal government," said Panetta.
"The states are making the grade, and California is at the head of the class," said Karen Garrison of the Natural Resources Defense Council. With the passage of Proposition 84 in 2006, a bond act that provides support for protection of coastal resources, California stands as a role model for the rest of the nation, she said.
Julie Packard, executive director of Monterey Bay Aquarium, applauded California for meeting the Pew Ocean Commission's concerns.
"It's time for the federal government to do the same," she said. "Our oceans are too precious to delay action any longer."
Packard praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"His administration has made significant progress toward assuring a future with healthy oceans by supporting creation of a network of marine protected areas off the Central Coast," she said.
In a public hearing Friday at the Best Western Beach Resort, the Fish and Game Commission will finalize plans for the marine protected areas.
"No other state has a full, comprehensive network like California does," said Tim Eichenberg, pacific director of Ocean Conservancy, an ocean advocacy group.
"It is important for people in the Central Coast to show their support," he said. "People should come to the hearing on Friday in Monterey and speak up on behalf of the oceans before the Fish and Game Commission."
The report card gave credit to President Bush for designating the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, a 140,000-square-mile reserve of protected islands, atolls and ocean.
To address the need for more federal action, Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, recently introduced H.R. 21, known as Oceans-21, which would establish an Oceans Trust Fund and a framework for regional oceans governance.
"Our oceans are at our mercy," he said.
The 2006 Ocean Policy Report Card, issued Tuesday by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, gave the federal government a grade of C-minus, up marginally from a D-plus for 2005.
The initiative, a combined effort by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, is led by retired Adm. James D. Watkins and Leon Panetta, former Central Coast congressman and Clinton administration chief of staff. Its mission is to evaluate progress toward protecting marine resources.
"To raise the grade in 2007, we need much more progress from Congress and the administration," said Panetta.
The C-minus was arrived at by averaging grades in six component subjects: C-minus for national ocean governance; A-minus for state governance; D-minus for international leadership; D-plus for research and science efforts; B-plus for fisheries management; and F for new funding.
In addressing funding and research, Watkins highlighted the need to investigate the ocean's role in climate change.
"We are trying to fight climate change with one arm tied behind our back," he said.
The report said the U.S. scored poorly in international leadership because of the failure of the previous Republican-controlled Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In the category of fisheries management, the U.S. earned a B-plus for setting a firm deadline to end overfishing with the passage of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act.
The A-minus awarded for state governance was the highest mark, with the California Ocean Protection Council getting special mention.
"In the race to preserve our oceans, the states are outdistancing the federal government," said Panetta.
"The states are making the grade, and California is at the head of the class," said Karen Garrison of the Natural Resources Defense Council. With the passage of Proposition 84 in 2006, a bond act that provides support for protection of coastal resources, California stands as a role model for the rest of the nation, she said.
Julie Packard, executive director of Monterey Bay Aquarium, applauded California for meeting the Pew Ocean Commission's concerns.
"It's time for the federal government to do the same," she said. "Our oceans are too precious to delay action any longer."
Packard praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"His administration has made significant progress toward assuring a future with healthy oceans by supporting creation of a network of marine protected areas off the Central Coast," she said.
In a public hearing Friday at the Best Western Beach Resort, the Fish and Game Commission will finalize plans for the marine protected areas.
"No other state has a full, comprehensive network like California does," said Tim Eichenberg, pacific director of Ocean Conservancy, an ocean advocacy group.
"It is important for people in the Central Coast to show their support," he said. "People should come to the hearing on Friday in Monterey and speak up on behalf of the oceans before the Fish and Game Commission."
The report card gave credit to President Bush for designating the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, a 140,000-square-mile reserve of protected islands, atolls and ocean.
To address the need for more federal action, Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, recently introduced H.R. 21, known as Oceans-21, which would establish an Oceans Trust Fund and a framework for regional oceans governance.
"Our oceans are at our mercy," he said.
By Brian Lee
Hearld Staff Writer
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