A more difficult problem will be dealing with the concerns expressed in some quarters that the treaty represents a ceding of U.S. sovereignty to global organizations. In fact, it may well not be possible any longer for any nation, no matter how powerful, to independently secure its interests in the oceans. Furthermore, Washington is already enmeshed in a number of international agreements on oceans issues, to which the LOS Convention provides a framework. At the same time, the Convention can constrain others from taking actions inimical to U.S. interests. Top of Section Enhancing Inter-Agency Coordination on Oceans Policy Issues With Law of the Sea and ocean issues commanding renewed attention, the interagency coordination and public outreach mechanisms for managing these issues have gained prominence.
Decisions taken within one agency on maritime issues typically have impacts on other agencies.
The coherence of U.S. policy on the oceans might therefore benefit from regular and systematic exchanges and interactions among a core group of interested agencies, such as the State Department, the Defense Department, the NSC, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Equally important, in an era of renewed attention to the oceans, is the issue of an advisory committee structure. A coherent and well articulated U.S. ocean policy with a broad base of domestic support will facilitate U.S. efforts to garner broad international support for its objectives for resource management, navigation, maritime safety, and pollution. For example, the IMO will be of central importance to all regimes dealing with navigation. While IMO standards apply to civilian navigation, they reflect concerns that apply to all vessels.