The commission's report unveils a blueprint for developing a comprehensive national ocean policy for the 21st century and seeks to present solutions that balance use with sustainability for U.S. oceans, the Great Lakes and coastal areas. Mandated by Congress through the Oceans Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-256), the report represents the first comprehensive review of U.S. ocean policy in 35 years.

Meanwhile, The Marine Fish Conservation Network has called on U.S. governors to support the report's key recommendations. The network lauded the commission's call for moving toward ecosystem-based management, improving the science on which management decisions are based, broadening representation on regional fisheries management councils to include the general public, and establishing national guidelines for fishing quota programs.

The commission began its work in September 2001 with a series of public meetings and additional site visits in coastal regions of the country and the Great Lakes. Its members heard testimony from hundreds of experts, including many of the nation's top oceanic scientists and researchers, environmental organizations, industry, citizens and government officials.

The commission is now compiling public comments and will deliver a final report to the president and Congress. See http://oceancommission.gov/documents/prelimreport/welcome.html.