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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

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USCOP File PhotoThe Commission’s guiding principles and o<strong>the</strong>r recommendations were based on input received atmeetings throughout <strong>the</strong> nation, such as this one held in July 2002 at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston,Massachusetts.• Ecosystem-based Management: U.S. ocean and coastal resources should be managedto reflect <strong>the</strong> relationships among all ecosystem components, including humans andnonhuman species and <strong>the</strong> environments in which <strong>the</strong>y live. Applying this principlewill require defining relevant geographic management areas based on ecosystem,ra<strong>the</strong>r than political, boundaries.• Multiple Use Management: The many potentially beneficial uses of ocean and coastalresources should be acknowledged and managed in a way that balances competinguses while preserving and protecting <strong>the</strong> overall integrity of <strong>the</strong> ocean and coastalenvironments.• Preservation of Marine Biodiversity: Downward trends in marine biodiversity shouldbe reversed where <strong>the</strong>y exist, with a desired end of maintaining or recovering naturallevels of biological diversity and ecosystem services.• Best Available Science and In<strong>for</strong>mation: <strong>Ocean</strong> policy decisions should be based on<strong>the</strong> best available understanding of <strong>the</strong> natural, social, and economic processes thataffect ocean and coastal environments. Decision makers should be able to obtain andunderstand quality science and in<strong>for</strong>mation in a way that facilitates successful managementof ocean and coastal resources.• Adaptive Management: <strong>Ocean</strong> management programs should be designed to meetclear goals and provide new in<strong>for</strong>mation to continually improve <strong>the</strong> scientific basis <strong>for</strong>future management. Periodic reevaluation of <strong>the</strong> goals and effectiveness of managementmeasures, and incorporation of new in<strong>for</strong>mation in implementing future management,are essential.• Understandable Laws and Clear Decisions: Laws governing uses of ocean andcoastal resources should be clear, coordinated, and accessible to <strong>the</strong> nation’s citizensto facilitate compliance. Policy decisions and <strong>the</strong> reasoning behind <strong>the</strong>m should alsobe clear and available to all interested parties.• Participatory Governance: Governance of ocean uses should ensure widespreadparticipation by all citizens on issues that affect <strong>the</strong>m.• Timeliness: <strong>Ocean</strong> governance systems should operate with as much efficiency andpredictability as possible.62 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY

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