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Top goal: Protect ocean ecosystem

by Frank Muller-Karger, Ph.D., a member of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and of the Executive Committee of REP's Florida chapter

published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal on June 18, 2006

During summer, Floridians look forward to that great American pastime -- going to the beach. Nearly 90 million Americans take part in some type of ocean- or beach-related activity, and many areas rely on ocean and beach tourism for their economic livelihood. However, our own activities and natural forceshave put our oceans and beaches at serious risk. We need to pay attention and act to better protect this precious resource, if we are to continue to enjoy the recreational, aesthetic and economic value of our beaches.

Two blue ribbon panels, the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, released comprehensive reports in 2003 and 2004 detailing the various troubles that America's oceans and beaches face:

• Poorly planned coastal development has resulted in more people and property vulnerable to storm surges and flooding, as evidenced by last year's tragic hurricane season.
  
  
• Most coastal waters are in poor condition due to pollutant-laden runoff from the land and deposition of contaminants from the air. Here in Florida alone, we have more than 2,000 beach closures a year because of contamination from bacteria derived from sewage.
  
  
• Marine debris, including trash washed onto beaches and into the ocean, poses a tremendous risk to fishery resources, wildlife, as well as to human health and safety.
  
  
• Red tides are increasing in size and frequency, impacting the health of marine species and humans.
  
  
• More than 500 non-native invasive species are found in North America's coastal habitats, causing detriment to coastal ecosystems.

To address continued declining ocean and coastal health, the U.S. Commission and the Pew panel joined forces this year in a bipartisan effort, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. The initiative's primary goal is to advance meaningful ocean policy reform, including increased funding for ocean and coastal sciences, that will help protect and enhance the long-term vitality of our oceans and coasts for the benefit of all.

The Joint Initiative, drawing on recommendations from reports of both commissions, released its report last week. It is proposing a new approach based on ecosystem management. This approach takes into account that our oceans and coasts are an interconnected network of animals, plants and people, and that changes in the health of one resource can affect the status of other, related resources.

The threats to our oceans and coasts are real, and many come from sources that would surprise most people. For example, studies have shown that most beach closings and advisories are associated with human and animal wastes contaminating coastal waters through sewer overflows, septic system failures, stormwater runoff and inadequately treated wastes from sewage treatment plants. Similarly, that the greatest source of marine oil pollution comes not from ships or oil platforms but from land-based activities, including oil-laden runoff from highways and parking lots.

Although the impacts are direct, many Americans may not realize that protecting ocean and coastal health requires long-term commitment to greater investment in infrastructure, improvements in water pollution enforcement standards, and the promotion of market-based incentives and other innovative approaches. This is just one example of how actions taken on land can have important and lasting effects on our oceans and coasts.

The transition toward this more-balanced approach will require changes on many levels. We must move toward a comprehensive national ocean policy that combines the principles of sustainability and sound science with a sense of stewardship for our oceans. Protecting our ocean and coastal resources must become a far-greater priority, politically and economically.

Florida beaches continue to be developed, and land prices make it difficult to purchase some wetlands and dunes for our own public enjoyment of pristine habitats.

As we head to the beach this summer, we need to think seriously about ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the same pleasures and benefits from our oceans and coasts.

Doing so will require strong leadership and an ongoing commitment from both Congress and the White House to seek enduring bipartisan solutions to the crisis in our oceans. And the plan that emerges must be fully funded. Without additional resources, nothing will change.

Protecting Florida's coasts and our nation's oceans -- and ourselves -- will require a sea change in the way we manage them. It's time for the public to insist that we invest in that change before it is too late.