EPA's efforts to implement President Clinton's Ocean Initiatives announced at the National Oceans Conference in Monterey, CA, June 12, 1998. The oceans are one of the earth s most significant resources. The global ocean affects the health and safety of the world by providing food, recreation, local weather amelioration, and global climate stabilization. The boundary-less ocean is mankind s great responsibility. The ocean, by its size and extent, cannot rely on one political entity or another to preserve its health.
Waters originating in the Caribbean Sea wash the shores of Ireland.
Ships from countries as far away as Japan fish the Atlantic Ocean currents. Our treatment of the ocean will affect our quality of life in the next century. Coastal environments will be called upon to absorb more human activities and wastes, and give up more of its fish and shellfish for a growing population. This trend is not limited to the U.S. and other developed countries. Developing countries are more and more utilizing their coastal areas for recreation and tourism, putting new stresses on the oceans.