JOCI has long been a champion for bipartisan solutions to ocean issues, and there is no greater issue threatening the oceans and all who rely on it than the climate crisis. JOCI applauds the introduction of this legislation as a promising and long overdue opportunity for more focused conversations in the Congress to develop bipartisan … Continued
We write in sadness at the loss of a beloved ocean champion and U.S. statesman. In his 55-year career in public service, Senator Ernest “Fritz” Hollings of South Carolina, who passed away on April 6 at the age of 97, generated lasting impacts on our oceans and coasts. We will forever be indebted to Senator … Continued
On June 19, 2018, President Trump signed an Executive Order Regarding the Ocean Policy to Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States. It clarifies the Administration’s ocean priorities, while repealing the 2010 National Ocean Policy and shifting focus away from ocean conservation, stewardship, and resilience. The bi-partisan Joint Ocean Commission Initiative … Continued
On the first day of World Oceans Month and in advance of Capitol Hill Ocean Week, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative recognizes the benefits that the National Ocean Policy delivers to Americans. The National Ocean Policy fosters the stewardship, use of best-available science, multiple-use and adaptive management, coordination, participatory governance, and government efficiency that the … Continued
Today, the Trump Administration released its official budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018. The President’s budget includes deep cuts to critical ocean and coastal programs at NOAA, EPA, NSF, NASA, and within the Department of the Interior. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (Joint Initiative) opposes proposed cuts to programs that are essential to the economic … Continued
The Joint Initiative urges the Trump Administration to take a systematic approach as it crafts its legacy for the oceans and our ocean-based economy. The administration must carefully consider the valuable role that national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments play to ensure ecological, historic, and cultural benefits for the welfare of current and future … Continued
Today President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to review national monument designations under the Antiquities Act dating back to 1996. Marine national monuments will be part of that review. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is concerned that attempts to modify existing marine national monuments could jeopardize important progress that … Continued
Today the Trump Administration released its budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2018. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (Joint Initiative) is deeply disappointed by the proposed cuts to critical ocean and coastal programs at NOAA, EPA, the Coast Guard, NASA, NSF, and within the Department of Interior. These programs are essential to the health and economic … Continued
Today, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (Joint Initiative), a bipartisan group of senior ocean leaders from industry, academia, and civil society, as well as former senior government officials, calls on the Trump Administration and Congress to take action to protect our oceans and coasts and grow the ocean economy. The interactive digital report, Ocean Action Agenda: … Continued
The Joint Initiative congratulates the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Bodies on the finalization of their regional ocean plans. Today, the National Ocean Council (NOC) officially certified the regions’ plans, marking the beginning of their implementation. Both regional plans demonstrate the remarkable progress our nation has made in coordinating efforts among all sectors to better … Continued