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 he Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) has issued
its first-ever report to the nation on the health of America's
oceans. This comprehensive report provides a baseline of the
condition of our oceans while beginning to lay out a set of health
indicators, one in each of the four key areas covered in the
report ocean waters, marine wildlife, fish and fishing, and ocean
ecosystems.
 "Our
oceans should be a national priority," said Vice Admiral
Roger Rufe, CMC president. "CMC will issue the Health
of the Oceans report every year so that American citizens
and their leaders can start talking about the oceans and work
toward measurable progress to improve their health."
The Health
of the Oceans report this year says that nearly 40 to 45
percent of our waters are not suitable for fishing or swimming.
In California in 1998, beaches were closed for more than 3,000
days because the water was contaminated. The report also finds
that the number-one source of poor coastal water quality is polluted
runoff, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste. In
addition, nearly one-half of the assessed US marine fish populations
are overfished and thousands of marine animals are injured or
killed by litter and marine debris.
But the news
is not all negative. The report finds certain fish populations
on the rebound and the Center's annual beach cleanup, the International
Coastal Cleanup, helps reduce millions of pounds of marine debris
each year.
"Consumers
should be aware that a number of the popular fish that they find
on their local menus and in neighborhood markets are overfished.
Species like red snapper, shrimp, orange roughy, and shark are
all in danger," said Rufe. "This report outlines specific
steps that citizens can take both to reduce their contribution
to ocean contamination and overfishing, and to advocate for government
actions that are necessary to turn the tide on these issues."
In addition,
the report outlines specific steps that the federal, state and
local governments can and must take in order to improve ocean
health. Those steps include:
- Strengthen the Clean Water Act to reduce
polluted runoff;
- Pass the Beach bill to measure pollution
in waters off public beaches nationwide;
- Overhaul the nation's fishery management
councils so they include a more balanced representation of citizens,
fishers, scientists and conservationists;
- Strengthen US marine mammal and endangered
species laws to protect endangered and threatened wildlife;
- Establish special ocean places where fishing
is banned to protect ocean ecosystems and allow fish populations
to replenish themselves;
- Establish "no-take reserves" and
other protected areas within state waters; and,
- Adopt local programs to prevent and mitigate
wetland losses, and prohibit the construction of sea walls and
coastal armoring projects that destroy beaches.
The
report also details how pollution - everything from trash to
agricultural runoff is threatening the entire ecosystem. And
the report finds that local, state and federal officials are
not devoting the money or personnel necessary to restore our
oceans.
The 2001 report
will include a comprehensive set of indicators to measure progress
in improving fish and wildlife populations, reducing pollution,
and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
"Next
year, we will be able to measure our progress - or any setbacks
against this report, and then set goals for individuals and policymakers,"
said Rufe. "Clear and specific goals will help us to quickly
identify problems needing immediate action and lead to cleaner,
healthier oceans with plenty of fish and healthy habitat."
The report
is available at www.cmc-ocean.org.
Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, the Center for Marine Conservation informs, inspires, and empowers people to speak and act for the oceans in order to protect ocean ecosystems and conserve the global abundance and diversity of marine wildlife. Headquartered in Washington, DC, CMC has a local pollution prevention coordinator: Donna Frye. You can email her at: dfrye san.rr.com, call: (619) 688-9886. 
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