Because these laws focus on individual resources, they are typically unable to address interrelationships and conflicts. Political scientists from Delaware Sea Grant are addressing the challenge of ocean governance in the United States. Based on an analysis of these laws and policies, they have defined the necessary features of a National Ocean Governance Strategy. These features would include a long-term vision, a stewardship ethic, and specific goals for sustainable development. In addition, the scientists have spelled out the analytical studies required to implement such a strategy and suggested several possible approaches to getting the process started.
Public participation can play an important role in coastal management decisions.
Researchers from the New York Sea Grant Institute assessed the importance of local context in a community-based water resources program aimed at the cleanup of the 42 most polluted locations on the Great Lakes Basin. Survey data enabled the researchers to pinpoint conditions that significantly affect the design and conduct of public involvement programs. Among these conditions are level of community awareness, state of the local economy, and strength of local leadership. Rigorous evaluation is critical for ensuring the effectiveness of coastal management. An interdisciplinary team from Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington Sea Grant programs has begun the first comprehensive assessment of the national Coastal Zone Management Program in its 24-year history.