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The Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide, 2005-2006

Introduction

America is and always has been an oceanic society. From the Bering Sea land bridge to the James town settlement to the processing lines of Ellis Island, we have been a temptest-tossed people, a saltwater people, a coastal people.

We have lived well on the abundance of our seas and coastlines from the earliest canoe tribes setting fish-traps along the Jersey shore to today’s giant gantry crane operators unloading container ships at the Port of Long Beach.

As the Pew Oceans Commission report of 2003 and the U. S. Commission on Ocean Policy report of 2004 pointed out, America owes much of its wealth, bounty and heritage to the blue in our red, white, and blue. It provides the oxygen we need to breathe, drives climate and weather, and brings rain to our farmers and food to our tables. It also provides recreation, transportation, protein, medicine, energy, security, and a sense of awe and wonder of the vast but fragile beauty of our blue-marble planet.

As the two commissions also point out, our living waters are today endangered by a cascading series of environmental threats from over fishing for the global seafood market to the nutrient pollution of our near-shore seas; from coastal sprawl that destroys the nurseries and filters of the seas; and from global warming that threatens our reefs, shores, and homes. In response to these threats, we need to develop and expand not only our scientific understanding of the seas but also an active and educated political constituency for the protection, exploration, and restoration of our livings oceans.

That is why we’ve created this guide, as a kind of Blue Movement Directory, to identify and link citizen activists, organizations, and institutions that, having gotten so much from our seas, are now ready to give something back.

The Guide is divided into four sections, The first section identifies U.S. marine conservation organizations and provides descriptions and contact information by state. This is an easy way to find out who is active on what issues and in what part(s) of the country. The second section lists government agencies involved in coastal and marine oversight. I t provides a way to navigate the confusing waters of marine governance in order to link particular issues to the agencies claiming legal responsibility over them. The third section lists major marine schools and science centers in the United States. It may be useful to potential students, activists, or other citizens seeking professional scientific or policy information and support. The final section lists national ocean sanctuaries and marine parks that can provide recreation and inspiration for all people who feel a connection to the sea around us.

Working together, dedicated watermen and waterwomen can begin to make a change, can create the first ripples in a rising tide of citizen action for the discovery and recovery of our Blue Frontier. We already know commonsense solutions can work, and that protecting our nations watersheds, shorelines, and seas makes sense both morally and economically. Healthy, clean, and bountiful oceans will help ensure vibrant coastal communities and economies.

We hope this first biannual Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide will provide a useful tool to the reader, while also helping to build a seaweed (marine grassroots) rebellion of creativity and solutions-orientated efforts across our land and from sea to shining sea.

David Helvarg

President