Ask Congress to Fund Initiatives, Create Oceans Commission and Ratify Law of the Sea Convention

John A. Duff, J.D., LL.M., M.A.
 

Citing a host of current and potential threats to the world's oceans, and the need for a global approach to address them, President Clinton and Vice President Gore called on members of Congress, cabinet officials, and an assembled contingent of scientists, academics, environmental and industry leaders to "make the 21ST century a great century of stewardship of our seas." The President, with a sun-brightened Monterey Bay as his backdrop, addressed a coalition of over five hundred participants at the National Oceans Conference on June 12, in Monterey, California. The conference was a rare gathering of top-ranking White House officials, military leaders, and ocean advocates.

The two day conference hosted by Navy Secretary John Dalton and Commerce Secretary William Daley included information-gathering sessions on Commerce; Global Security; Environment and Health; and, Exploration, Educa-tion and Research.

The sessions were designed to initiate a dialogue between government officials and representatives from industry, academia, and conservation representatives. Pan-elists and attendees were subsequently called together in an afternoon session moderated by the Vice President who began by outlining some of the fundamental stewardship concerns regarding the oceans and their functions. "There is no other resource upon which we depend so much . . . but know so little," noted Gore. This conference, explained Gore, was the first step in an effort "to chart a comprehensive ocean policy" that would increase our understanding of the oceans, how they work, and the manner in which the U.S. should manage its myriad marine resources. The Vice President recounted the economic as well as environmental importance of ocean resources, characterizing the oceans as commercial highways, harvestable food sources, and recreational and aesthetic attractions. He also cited the need for increased study of the oceans in light of the recent scientific recognition that they serve as "a crucial barometer of our weather and climate" systems.

The Exploration, Education and Research panel members reported to Gore that a sense of understanding of the oceans was needed not only for the future scientists but for an informed citizenry as well. Panel Chair Katie McGinty explained that "education plays a vital role in ocean issues," adding that there is a recognized need to "break down the barriers of communication between disciplines" and further develop "partnerships between government, academia, and industry."

Speaking on behalf of the Commerce panel, Dr. D. James Baker, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, told the Vice President that the U.S. economy is substantially dependent upon international trade which is in turn dependent upon economically and environmentally sound port management. Baker included the concerns of overcapitalized fishing industries which threaten many stocks with overfishing. Gore asked William Amaru, a commercial fisherman and member of the New England Fisheries Management Council, how to address overfishing while minimizing impacts to fishing communities. Amaru responded that many members of the fishing community supported the federally sponsored buyouts to reduce overcapitalized fishing fleets. Amaru noted "it was a difficult pill to swallow, but it was a graceful way for some people to leave the industry." Navy Secretary John Dalton reported on behalf of the Security panel and stressed the need for U.S. membership in the Law of the Sea Convention, the international treaty often characterized as the constitution for the world's oceans. Dalton cited the panel's unanimous support of U.S. ratification of the treaty, particularly in light of the fact that most countries in the world have signed on to the Convention. "We must have a seat at the international table," said Dalton, noting the importance of a U.S. influence as the Treaty comes into implementation. United States Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral James Loy, echoed Dalton's support for Treaty ratification and cited the Coast Guard's particular concerns. "We need a rule of law context," said Loy, referring to the express provisions in the Law of the Sea Treaty regarding navigation, law enforcement, and living marine resource management. "The rest of the world has endorsed [the treaty]," noted Loy, "it's time to join the rest of the world." Loy added that a clear set of internationally recognized laws would enhance the Coast Guard's ability in enforcement activities that often depend upon international cooperation and negotiation.

In his address on July 12, President Clinton cited some of the concerns discussed in the previous day's meetings and pledged a concerted effort by his administration to address them. In addressing the role of the United States as a leader on global ocean issues, the President made a public plea likely directed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as he declared, "we must join the rest of the world in ratifying, at long last, the Convention on the Law of the Sea." The President signed the Treaty in July of 1994 and forwarded it to the Senate for ratification in October of that year. However, to date, the Senate Committee has made little effort toward ratification.

Citing specific and real concerns, including over-fishing, habitat degradation, and the pollution-induced "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, the President called for Congress to fund a $224 million initiative to enhance the nation's oceans. He also extended a moratorium on offshore drilling along the California coast and much of the rest of the nation and highlighted other efforts to take better care of the nation's ocean resources including:

a permanent ban on drilling in the nation's marine sanctuaries;

an Executive Order establishing a U.S. Coral Reef Task Force;

a pledge to protect essential fish habitat and rebuild fish stocks;

a move to invest $2.3 billion in a Clean Water Action Plan to restore the nation's water quality; and,

continued efforts to complete an advanced ocean monitoring system.

Mr. Clinton emphasized the importance of the task ahead and noted that "hope, creativity, and imagination will be required to meet the challenges that we face with our oceans," recounting that those same characteristics are "the traits that first enabled and inspired explorers to take to the sea." In concluding, the President noted that "In the 21ST century, [those traits] must lead us to preserve our living oceans as a sacred legacy for all time to come."
 
 

University of Mississippi