Pew floats marine commission to assess America's oceans

The Pew Charitable Trusts appointed a special commission to assess America's oceans and marine habitat such as this temperate reef offshore North Carolina, home to hard corals and tropical fish.

May 30, 2000
Web posted at: 12:40 p.m. EDT (1640 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

With Gov. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey and former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta at the helm, the Pew Charitable Trusts has launched the independent Pew Oceans Commission to assess the condition of America's oceans and marine resources.

The 17-member commission is charged with recommending changes in public policy to protect marine biodiversity. The group will focus on the impact of coastal development, pollution, fishing, climate change and invasive species on marine life in U.S. waters.

"The impact of coastal development, pollution and some commercial fishing practices have led to declining prospects for many of our most cherished marine species — whales, dolphins, turtles, coral and seabirds," said Whitman. "These creatures and the thousands of other organisms that share our seas are tremendously important to the American people. Assuring that our sea life will continue to populate our coastal waters prompts this comprehensive, science-based search for the measures necessary to protect them."

The bipartisan group comprises leaders in business, science and government as well as fishermen and conservationists. The coalition will work to set national priorities to restore and protect America's oceans for future generations.

"Crisis has often dictated our policies related to the oceans, and too often that has been too late," said Panetta. "Good stewardship is about leadership, not crisis. Our principal objective is to recommend policies that will protect our oceans for the future. There can be no greater legacy in this new century than to ensure that our children and their children can enjoy this magnificent resource."

Working with distinguished scientists, public officials, business leaders, and conservation and fishing interests, Whitman and Panetta will hold regional hearings and issue several reports before delivering a final set of recommendations to Congress in early 2002.

"We don't have all the answers today," said Panetta. "We will need to work as partners with all of those who have a stake in the future of our oceans to accomplish our mission."

The Pew Oceans Commission was organized to help restore and protect the marine environment.

The commission was created by The Pew Charitable Trusts, one of the nation's largest philanthropic organizations.

"Our marine environment is facing a greater array of problems than ever before in history," said Rebecca Rimel, president of the Pew trust. "The adverse impact of overfishing, unplanned development and pollution that continues unabated despite well-intended laws have led to the collapse of major fisheries in New England, a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico covering thousands of square miles, and the tragic waste of millions of fish, mammals and seabirds needlessly killed and discarded as unwanted by-catch each year."

"We believe that a commission made up of distinguished and thoughtful Americans can make an enormous contribution to restoring and protecting our marine environment," she added.

The commission will hold its first meeting July 6 and 7 in Washington, D.C.. The two-day session will include briefings from marine scientists on ocean exploration and the status of marine life.

The commission will hold six to eight meetings prior to submitting its report to Congress in early 2002. Commission subcommittees will conduct hearings, conferences and workshops in coastal communities across the nation.

The commission will also publish interim papers on various issues affecting the U.S. marine environment. The first paper — the impact of air and water pollution and marine debris on life in U.S. coastal waters — is slated for publication in October.

Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved

Fiji fouled by coral reef bleaching
April 26, 2000
Clinton unveils initiative to protect U.S. oceans and coasts
May 26, 2000
New study finds warming trend in oceans
March 23, 2000
Ocean graveyards tell whales of stories
February 28, 2000
Coral provides clues to climate change
February 7, 2000

Clean scene: Council cites 30 best U.S. beaches
Ocean IQ test
Q and A with Sylvia Earle
Sea expeditions help build new ethic
Gulf zone a deadly pool of distant sources
Texas manifesto: Stop the shrimping, spare the sea turtle
Carbon dioxide has choke-hold on coral reefs
Black-striped mussels threaten Australia

Pew Oceans Commission
   •survey
Whitman: governor of New Jersey
Leon Panetta
The Pew Charitable Trusts

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.