Recent Developments at the Federal Level in Ocean Policymaking in the United States

U. S. ocean policy is managed by 24 agencies, applying approximately 147 separate laws, many of which have been amended over time. This presents a complex, cumbersome, sometimes redundant and cumulatively ineffective patchwork of rules governing ocean policy. In response, many recent alternative policy structures and approaches have been proposed. The genesis of efforts to reform U. S. ocean policy has been two national commissions-one privately sponsored and the other established by Congress and appointed by the president. These two approaches include ecosystem-based management applied to certain specific sectors such as fisheries and marine sanctuaries, and integrated ecosystem assessments that require assimilation of information and coordination of management across multiple agencies. The most recent initiative, established by Executive Order, directs the adoption of coastal and marine spatial planning. This article focuses on efforts to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-based, scientifically sound national ocean policy; recent policy initiatives for climate change in the Arctic Ocean; and management issues associated with specific sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy.