Washington, D.C. – The following statement was issued by Janis Searles Jones (@InVeritas_Jones), CEO of Ocean Conservancy in response to the passage of legislation formalizing the Ocean Policy Committee, which passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act on January 1, 2021:

“For over a decade, Ocean Conservancy has advocated for a national committee to coordinate ocean science and management, and today, we celebrate the formalization of the Ocean Policy Committee and the National Oceanographic Partnership Program included in the National Defense Authorization Act.

“This permanent interagency committee at the White House will play a critical role in coordinating science to address climate change, advancing sustainable offshore wind, supporting marine conservation, and boosting resilience for coastal communities.

“We were encouraged to note bipartisan support in Congress and thank past and present ocean champions for delivering on long-standing recommendations outlined in the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy back in 2004.

“We also welcome the reauthorization of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, which facilitates partnerships among federal agencies and other non-governmental entities including academia and industry to advance large-scale collaborations in ocean research.

“Ocean Conservancy looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration and the Ocean Policy Committee to ensure that our ocean remains one of our greatest natural resources.

“Today was a good day for our ocean. We are moving towards a future that values science and collaboration while honoring the voices of all ocean communities.”

###

Ocean Conservancy experts are available for media requests.

About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.