WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, applauded President Obama’s signing of a memorandum today on the National Policy for Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. 

 

“The United States is on the cusp of creating a wave of new ‘blue’ jobs through ocean energy development, aquaculture, marine drugs and maritime trade.  After last week’s hearings in the Senate Commerce Committee, I am pleased to hear President Obama echo our call for action,” Rockefeller said. “Our nation’s extensive ocean and coastal resources provide many services and benefits, including supporting maritime commerce, fishery and energy development essential to our economy, and environmental protection, tourism and recreation vital to our quality of life. We must always value their riches.” 

 

 

The memorandum signed by President Obama highlights a plan for developing ways to improve stewardship of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, and strengthen our Blue Economy.  The memorandum includes directives to write recommendations for a National Ocean Policy, improve federal policy, and develop a framework for marine spatial planning.

 

This week, Chairman Rockefeller and the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard held hearings on the Blue Economy and celebrated Ocean Week on Capitol Hill to highlight the critical importance of improving the Blue Economy and increasing Blue Jobs.  Last week, Chairman Rockefeller sent a letter to President Obama urging the creation of a science-based interagency forum to develop a framework for marine spatial planning and recommending that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) play a lead role in these efforts.

Chairman Rockefeller joined Subcommittee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell in calling on the Administration to double the budget of NOAA. NOAA is the federal agency principally responsible for managing our coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.  

 

The Commerce Committee has a longstanding interest in comprehensive ocean planning and has developed legislation that balances environment protection and human uses, from habitat protection and national marine sanctuaries to commercial fishing, offshore thermal energy conversion, and maritime shipping lanes. The Committee is charged with the comprehensive study and review of all matters relating to science and technology and oceans policy, and has oversight responsibility for NOAA and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).  

 

 

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