1998 Year of the Ocean Ocean Living Resources 



The U.S. government, in partnership with public and private stakeholders, has recognized 

 these threats to the marine environment and is taking steps to address these problems. Evidence 

 already shows that U.S. management and conservation practices are paying dividends in healthier 

 resources. For example, the United States has set a policy framework for sustainable utilization 

 of fisheries through the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996. Provisions of the Act being 

 implemented include prevention of overfishing, designation and conservation of essential fish 

 habitat, reducing bycatch, and managing harvesting capacity. As fishery harvests are reduced to 

 sustainable levels, marine aquaculture will play an increased role in meeting domestic and world 

 food needs. The United States is developing the technology and policy framework that will 

 allow this expansion in food production in an environmentally sustainable manner. 



Regarding other concerns, strong protection under the Endangered Species Act and 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act has enabled the recovery of certain marine mammals and 

 increased populations of at least two sea turtle species in U.S. waters. Integrated coastal area 

 management, meanwhile, is providing new tools to protect the most productive coastal and 

 marine ecosystems. The United States has also been a leader in advancing international 

 initiatives to conserve marine fisheries and biological diversity — a shared resource. In each of 

 these natural resource management areas, the United States is beginning to apply a precautionary 

 approach that acknowledges the limits of scientific knowledge and requires erring on the side of 

 conservation. The key to success will depend on sound science and strengthened partnerships 

 with all stakeholders to conserve and sustainably use the nation's marine living heritage. 



The Year of the Ocean is an opportune time to examine the challenges confronting 

 marine living resources in light of new tools: advanced and expanded scientific information, the 

 precautionary approach, increased inclusiveness and partnerships, and the potential of 

 ecosystem-based management. Much has been done in the past 20 years, and 1 998 provides an 

 excellent starting point for a new direction for the next 20 years. 



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