| Governing the Oceans
*This document was prepared by the Sea Grant Law Center, University of Mississippi, for use by the members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and by Commission staff as a reference during their work collecting and analyzing information about the nation's oceans and coasts. The list of statutes is not an exhaustive list that relates to all ocean and coastal resources. However, it is a list that provides the statutory context for the work of the Commission. Questions about the compilation or recommendations for updating its contents can be sent to Stephanie Showalter.*

The Oceans Act of 2000 requires the Commission to analyze the laws that apply to U.S. oceans and coasts.

Cumulative List of StatutesSummaries of Other Relevant LawsInternational MaterialsResources
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Currently, the Sea Grant Law Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law, is assisting the Commission in carrying out a process that will engage a number of marine law and policy experts as volunteers to review drafts of a legal analysis report. Click here for more information or to sign up.The links available through this page represent a compilation of statutes and selected regulations relevant to oceans, coasts, and the management of marine resources using the following categories:
- Jurisdiction and Boundaries  Coastal Management, Development and ProtectionMarine Environmental Quality
- Living Marine Resources  Non-Living Marine ResourcesInfrastructure
- Security Issues  Admiralty
Under these categories, forty-three statutes were chosen as “Principal” statutes. You may download the summary of the law, selected regulations where applicable, and the statute text.							In the interest of brevity, regulations are generally not included but can be provided upon request (contact the Sea Grant Law Center).							The remaining statutes (over 100) have short summaries and statute citations, followed by summaries of international laws, a list of resources including a list of acronyms, relevant agency listings, and web resources.

**Cumulative List of Statutes**

**Summaries of Principal Statutes******

***Jurisdiction and Boundaries***
Clinton Presidential Proclamation 7219(Contiguous Zone)* (pdf, 16 kb) *
- Reagan Presidential Proclamation 5928(Territorial Sea)* (pdf, 20 kb) *  Submerged Lands Act* (pdf, 176 kb) *Truman Presidential Proclamation 2667(Continental Shelf)* (pdf, 20 kb) *
***Coastal Management, Development and Protection***

*Management*
- Coastal Zone Management Act * CZMA Consistency Regulations* * (pdf, 196 kb) *  Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act* (pdf, 36 kb) *Estuary Restoration Act of 2000* (pdf, 36 kb) *
- Oceans Act of 2000* (pdf, 32 kb) *   *Development and Use*    - Coastal Barrier Resources Act* (pdf, 32 kb) *  National Environmental Policy Act* (pdf, 64 kb) *National Flood Insurance Act of 1968* (pdf, 140 kb) *
- Rivers and Harbors Act* (pdf, 48 kb) *   *Protection*     MPA Executive Order 13158* (pdf, 24 kb) *
- National Marine Sanctuaries Act* (pdf, 24 kb) *    ***Marine Environmental Quality***    Clean Water Act* (pdf, 652 kb) *
- National Climate Program Act* (pdf, 28 kb) *  Ocean Dumping Act* (pdf, 96 kb) *Oil Pollution Act of 1990* (pdf, 136 kb) *
***Living Marine Resources***

*Fisheries Management*
- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act* (pdf, 260 kb) *  Salmon and Steelhead Conservation and Enhancement Act of 1980* (pdf, 52 kb) *Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967* (pdf, 44 kb) *
*Protected and Endangered Species*
Endangered Species Act* (pdf, 132 kb) *
- Marine Mammal Protection Act* (pdf, 264 kb) *  Lacey Act* (pdf, 32 kb) *Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention Control Act of 1990* (pdf, 76 kb) *
- National Invasive Species Act of 1996* (pdf, 76 kb) *   *Aquaculture*     National Aquaculture Development Act of 1980* (pdf, 36 kb) *
***Non-Living Marine Resources***

*Oil and Gas Development*
- Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act* (pdf, 36 kb) *  OCS Deep Water Royalty Relief Act* (pdf, 48 kb) *
*Marine Minerals Mining*
Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act* (pdf, 108 kb) *
***Infrastructure***

*General*
- National Park Service Act* (pdf, 112 kb) *  Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980* (pdf, 180 kb) *National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act* (pdf, 24 kb) *
- National Oceanographic Partnership Program Act* (pdf, 12 kb) *   *Education and Research*    - National Sea Grant College Program Act* (pdf, 40 kb) *   *Ports and Transportation*      - Deepwater Port Act of 1974* (pdf, 68 kb) *  Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972* (pdf, 40 kb) *
*Submerged Cultural Resources*
Abandoned Shipwreck Act* (pdf, 20 kb) *
- Antiquities Act of 1906* (pdf, 24 kb) *  Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979* (pdf, 36 kb) *
***Security Issues***

*General Security Issues*
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships* (pdf, 52 kb) *
- Intervention on the High Seas Act* (pdf, 28 kb) *  Anti-Smuggling Act of 1935* (pdf, 24 kb) *
**Summaries of Other Relevant Laws*** (pdf, 56 kb) (Click here for a list of summaries contained in the pdf)*

**International Materials***(pdf, 32 kb) (Click here for a list of summaries contained in the pdf)*

**Resources*** (pdf, 20 kb) *****(including a list of acronyms and internet sites)******

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Revised November 04, 2002 by Ocean Commission Webmaster |
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