Here are some principles for oceans management that must be part of any national oceans policy. First is that national goals have to be broad and flexible. We have to be broad enough to cover the issues, and flexible enough to change those goals if necessary. The second thing is that whatever framework we have has to aid in coordinating the federal agencies. We have lots of different ways that we can pull agencies together, but finding a way that we can get agencies to work together productively is important.
Agencies are good at working together when there are budgetary increases.
They are not particularly good at working together when there are budget cuts. They are also good at working together if they can see something that will come out if they don't work together. This is another area that works well. So we have some examples of what can work there. But it can't be just the federal government.