Foreword and Acknowledgments 
The ocean has played a major role in the growth of the United States—as a source 
of food, in the development of commerce, in the Nation’s security, and as a recreational 
outlet. Today, in the Nation’s quest to satisfy expanding needs for energy, minerals, 
space, food, and recreation, new demands are being placed on the ocean and coastal 
regions, many of which already are intensively developed. Problems relating to these de- 
mands are intensified by increasing concern about the present and future quality of the 
natural environment and the best use of resources—many no longer thought to be un- 
limited. These pressures for development ave worldwide and are reflected in the continu- 
ing effort by the United Nations to reach agreement on an international law of the sea. 
A decade has passed since the last systematic review of U.S. ocean policy by the 
Stratton Commission. During the interim, significant changes have taken place in socie- 
tal values—in the equitable and best use of resources, in environmental law, in techno- 
logical capabilities, and in the broadening of conflicting interests of use to an international 
scale. New laws have been enacted to give the Federal Government a measure of con- 
trol over the use and protection of U.S. ocean and coastal resources, but many prob- 
lems remain to be solved. If solutions are to be forthcoming, the Federal Government 
must exercise greater leadership in managing this trust on behalf of all the people. 
In recognition of this situation, President Carter, in June 1977, requested the Sec- 
retary of Commerce to make a comprehensive review of U.S. ocean policy. This deci- 
sion by the President was enthusiastically supported by a number of U.S. Senators and 
Congressmen. This report is the result of the President’s request. It discusses current 
ocean policies in each major area of civilian ocean and coastal affairs, provides back- 
ground information on the evolution of policies, describes and appraises the status of 
Federal ocean programs, identifies issues that need to be resolved, and reviews recom- 
mendations that have been made by various advisory commissions, councils, and other 
groups, including legislative proposals where appropriate. The report does not offer rec- 
ommendations. It is a reference document for study and review of domestic ocean policy, 
and is intended to provide the background and impetus for discussion and debate of out- 
standing ocean policy issues. A separate appendix includes a compilation of the stat- 
utes and executive orders that form the framework of U.S. ocean policy. 
Preparation of this report was coordinated under the general direction of the Sec- 
retary of Commerce, Juanita Kreps, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Policy, Jerry J. Jasinowski, under the supervision and guidance of James W. Curlin, . 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Resource and Scientific Policy Coordianation. The 
study was compiled in consultation with Richard A. Frank, Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Robert J. Blackwell, Assistant Secretary 
for Maritime Affairs. Although the Department of Commerce had major responsibil- 
ity for compiling the report, major contributions were made by the Department of the 
Interior, Department of Transportation (U.S. Coast Guard), and the National Advisory 
Committee on O eans and Atmosphere (NACOA). Over 100 persons were involved. 
Comments were /ffered by a wide range of reviewers in the academic and_ private 
sectors, at State and Federal levels of government, and from the Congress. 
The principal authors and their organizational affiliations are: 
e Alfred W. Anderson, Office of Legislative Affairs, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce 
© Berton J. Braley, Jr., Maritime Administration, Department of Commerce 
e James W. Curlin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Resource and Sci- 
entific Policy Coordination, Department of Commerce 
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