the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative released its 2012 U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card assessing the nation’s progress toward implementing the National Ocean Policy, which is critical to our national security, coastal economies, and the health of our ocean resources. The report card praises state and regional efforts to implement the National Ocean Policy. While the report card also commends solid steps taken by the Administration to lay the foundation for success, it highlights that overall implementation has fallen short of expectations and Congress has failed to show leadership on the issue. The report card calls on national, state, and local leaders to fully implement the National Ocean Policy and for the Senate to act on the Law of the Sea Convention. The report card also identifies 15 specific action steps necessary to ensure the health of our ocean resources now and into the future.

 

Read the full report card here