The seas are not only a source of economic benefit and a major avenue of world trade, but they are also a vital component of our national defense, a natural treasure to be preserved, and a fascinating frontier with secrets yet to be discovered. Our recommendations build on the broad consensus among Conference participants on the vital importance of the oceans to our nation s future our economy, our security, our health and well-being and the challenges we face in ensuring that all the oceans many resources are protected and sustained. There is growing awareness among Americans of the many ways the oceans influence our daily lives. Farmers in the nation s heartland depend on weather systems driven by the interaction of the oceans and atmosphere to nourish their crops. Citizens who have never seen an ocean may benefit from energy and food from the waters off our coasts.
Marine organisms provide the cure for many diseases and the promise of many more cures.
Ocean-going vessels carry the bulk of our world trade, linking us to the global marketplace and keeping our economy strong. Our naval forces, which preserve the international freedoms of navigation so crucial to maritime commerce and global stability, use ocean data daily in their worldwide operations. A strong national security is essential to our nation s ocean policy. At the same time, we have come to understand that the boundless oceans have limits. They cannot provide unlimited fish to feed the growing populations of the world, nor can they absorb unlimited wastes from human activities.