Number: 1977-12
WHEREAS, the diverse and vast wealth of the oceans is of vital importance to the future of all mankind; and
WHEREAS, modern technology permits increasingly greater harvest of food and prodigious growth in the vessels of commerce, and has made possible the taking of previously unobtainable minerals and raw fuels from the oceans floors; and
WHEREAS, the oceans have become a depository for the waste products from man’s cities and industries; and
WHEREAS, intensive exploitation of ocean resources and extensive alteration of coastal areas upon which many of these resources depend for sustenance have created widespread environmental degradation and threaten the existence of many valuable living and renewable resources; and
WHEREAS, the future presages even greater environmental neglect and loss of marine resources from the more intensive exploitation of the wealth of the oceans to meet man’s needs for minerals, fuels, and food; and
WHEREAS, the development or exploitation of some ocean resources will continue to conflict with the protection of others; with the determination of priorities and the consequent imposition of widespread refutation over all human activities in and near the oceans necessary to preclude wholesale environmental destruction; and
WHEREAS, such regulation should recognize the necessity to ensure continued productivity of renewable resources; and
WHEREAS, despite the many laws that have already been passed, regulations and rules laid down, resolutions written, and concerns expressed, adequate priorities for use of these resources and meaningful safeguards against habitat destruction and the general ocean environment have been effective only in a few restricted areas or for a limited number of resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 24-27, 1977, in Washington, D.C., hereby recognizes the need for the United States Government to enunciate an ocean policy which establishes a fundamental framework and philosophy for all exploitative and regulatory actions, (including long-term monitoring) related to ocean resources and uses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation recognizes that man’s growing need for food, transport, minerals, and energy fuels now levied against the oceans and adjacent coastal areas should be met with means which are efficient and economical but compatible with the continued productivity of the natural environment and consistent with a holistic resource management policy of sound conservation practices; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government to assume the leading role in developing this broad oceans policy to include coordination and cooperation, internationally and among federal, state, and local jurisdictions, as well as the general public, as a constant requirement of conscientious public service.