Whither the U.S. National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan?. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres, H.; Muller-Karger, F.; Keys, D.; Thornton, H.; Luther, M.; Alsharif, K.
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 53(2015)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Ocean -- Policy -- Coastal -- Marine -- Implementation plan -- United States; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2014.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: The need for a statutory framework to manage valuable marine resources in the United States is highlighted by problems such as fragmented ocean governance and increasing conflict over the use of ocean spaces. On July 19, 2010 President Obama signed Executive Order 13547 to create a National Ocean Policy (NOP) for the United States. A subsequent Implementation Plan, released in 2013, set up hundreds of actions to be accomplished between 2013 and 2025 to address economic, community, scientific and other issues. Progress implementing the NOP appears to have stalled. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the NOP and its Implementation Plan, and then discuss what needs to be done to bring the vision it set forth to fruition. Highlights: Public ocean resources are entrusted to the government for sustainable use. Lack of accountability mechanisms hamper progress of the US National Ocean Policy. Spatial planning is a highly contentious tenet of the Policy, galvanizing opposition. Implementation of the Policy needs stronger leadership and greater accountability. A statutory Ocean Policy is necessary to ensure sustainable ocean resource use.