Legislation
Ocean Champions is currently working with members of Congress to move forward on several pieces of legislation that will improve the health of our oceans. Click on an issue or scroll down for more information.
OCEANS-21 (HR21)
 Introduced by Rep. Sam Farr
OCEANS-21 (HR 21: Ocean Conservation, Education, & National Strategy for the 21st Century Act) was introduced by one of our Ocean Champions in Congress, Rep. Sam Farr (D-Ca, 17th) and the bill would be the first comprehensive national oceans policy if passed. We have been working with members of Congress to pass this legislation for the past few years and the 110th Congress may present our best opportunity with the recent change in leadership.
The purpose of OCEANS-21 is to implement the highest priority recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission by enacting legislation that seeks to protect, maintain, and restore the health and sustainability of our coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes for current and future generations.
What the Bill Will Do:
- Establish a comprehensive National Oceans Policy and guiding principles for use and management of U.S. coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes and their resources;
- Formally codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), strengthening its important mission and functions;
- Enhance national oceans governance structure, including codifying the Committee on Ocean Policy;
- Promote ecosystem-based, regional oceans governance, including collaborations among federal, state, and local management entities;
- Enhance responsible ocean stewardship through education, information collection, and citizen involvement; and
- Establish an Oceans and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund to support the purposes and policies of this Act.
To help us pass OCEANS-21 click here.
Click here to learn more about OCEANS-21 (HR21)
Save Our Shores Act
 Introduced by Rep. Connie Mack
Harmful algal blooms like red tide cause respiratory distress among seniors and children. Additionally they contaminate shellfish and have a negative effect on coastal states’ economic lifeblood: tourism. It has been estimated that harmful algal blooms like red tide cost communities in the United States nearly $100 million every year.
For those reasons Ocean Champion Rep. Connie Mack introduced the Save Our Shores Act in February 2007 to increase funding for scientific research to combat red tide and its effects. Once again, one of our Ocean Champions has introduced a bill that is vitally important to improving ocean health and has the bipartisan support of many coastal political leaders. We’re working with members of Congress to build the political support needed for this bill to become law. The more political leaders understand how important this bill is to ensuring the health of our coasts, the more likely it will be to pass.
To take action against red tide and other harmful algal blooms (HABs) click here.
Click here to learn more about Rep. Mack’s red tide bill (HR1091)
Past Legislative Victories
The Moratorium On Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration
 Richard Pombo served as Ocean Enemy #1 in Congress for years. In 2006, Ocean Champions played a key role in fighting back his attempts to end the moratorium on new offshore oil drilling & booting him out of office. |
For over two decades, since a massive oil spill off Santa Barbara on the California coast, the federal government has had a moratorium on new offshore oil & gas drilling. Last year U.S. coastal areas were threatened by Richard Pombo’s Congressional bill aimed at ending the moratorium. Aside from an already developed area in the Gulf of Mexico, Ocean Champions and the ocean conservation community were successful in defeating that threat as the moratorium was renewed by Congress.
Soon after the November elections though, President Bush stated that he was considering opening Alaska’s Bristol Bay to new offshore oil and gas exploration. Earlier this year the President followed through with that promise and lifted the oil exploration ban in Bristol Bay, threatening a local billion-dollar fishing industry and an ecosystem rich in marine wildlife.
Bristol Bay is home to a marine ecosystem teeming with life. The area is well known for having the world’s largest annual migration of sockeye salmon and is also a seasonal home to the critically endangered North Pacific Right Whale.
Now there are attempts by new Ocean Enemies in Congress to open the coast of Virginia to new offshore oil and gas exploration. Ocean Champions will continue fighting against these threats to the health of our coasts and oceans.
Click here for the latest news on the oceans.
Magnuson-Stevens Act
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act is the primary Federal statute governing how we manage our Nation’s fisheries and plays a vital role in our Nation’s ability to control overfishing, rebuild depleted fish populations and achieve sustainable fisheries management.
This bill reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Act and takes steps to improve the act both by making it more effective and responsive to the needs of our fishing communities here at home and by taking important steps toward exporting our successful management approaches internationally. Ocean Champions worked with members of Congress to pass the MSA reauthorization we were victorious when it passed with no sigificant rollbacks.
Although the passing the reauthorization in the fall of 2006 is an enormous victory for fisheries management, we must continue working with Congress to see that law is implemented responsibly.
Click here for the latest news on the oceans.
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