Regional Ocean Governance: A Look at California

Abstract

"There is renewed interest and momentum in the United States for regional approaches to protect and manage ocean and coastal resources. Both the Pew Oceans Commission (Pew) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) reports recommended the initiation of regional approaches to ocean and coastal management throughout the nation. Natural resources and ecosystems do not necessarily coincide with geopolitical boundaries, and our ability to implement ecosystem-based approaches has suffered as a result. Regional approaches can help resource managers account for more factors that affect a particular resource or ecosystem, not simply the ones that fall within a particular jurisdiction."