National Attitudes, Goals, And Policies Regarding The Oceans

Many who believe the oceans to be of great importance to the future of the United States have become tired and disillusioned in trying to obtain a national policy for the oceans. Others are still persevering, and many from Hawaii are counted in their ranks. After all, to live in Hawaii is almost a guarantee to appreciate the ocean and its resources. What is the problem? Why does the United States not have a national ocean policy? I would like to discuss some of the answers to these questions. I believe the subject matter leads to the title of the discussion, "National Attitudes, Goals, and Policies Regarding the 0=cans." I'm sure that most of you here are interested in ocean science and technology. Exposure to technical material is vital to you. But it is my opinion that a national ocean policy could greatly influence your chances for progress and success in ocean fields and therefore should be understood. What is the problem in establishing a national policy and organization to get on with the job of using the oceans wisely? I believe it is the complexity of the ocean. For one thing it is not like the space program which involves only a few astronomers and scientists; many people are involved in the oceans. Thus it was possible to set up a goal and establish a single governmental agency to accomplish that goal. Times have changed, however, and I doubt if the space program could get started today if it had to deal with the problems of environmental impact statements and baseline studies with which we now have to contend. The ocean policy involves an infinite number of people and organizations: individuals, industries, cities, counties, states, regions, and federal and international departments and committees. Thus, it is not too strange we can't arrive at a national policy.