JOCI Statement on the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act

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

Joint Initiative Statement on Trump Administration’s Ocean Executive Order

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

Joint Initiative Recognizes Continued Benefits of the National Ocean Policy

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

Joint Initiative Opposes Cuts that Undermine Coastal Communities and Economies

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

Joint Initiative Concerned by Trump Actions on Offshore Energy

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

Joint Initiative Concerned about Future of Monuments

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

Joint Initiative Opposes Cuts to Critical Ocean Programs

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

Joint Initiative Releases Ocean Action Agenda

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

Joint Initiative Congratulates the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Bodies

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