Ocean Blueprint New Jersey
A blueprint for state-level action
The quality of life and the strength of the economy in New Jersey are challenged by persistent threats to the health and viability of one of its most cherished and fragile assets: its ocean resources. Despite regulatory efforts to date, New Jersey residents still face beach closings, seafood health advisories, and prohibitions on shellfishing in some areas because of pollution. In addition, pressures on fisheries due to overfishing and ecosystem destruction have jeopardized the future vitality of these resources. New Jersey now has an opportunity to seize a leadership role in strengthening protections for its ocean resources, rebuilding valuable fish populations, and cleaning its coastal waters.Two national blue-ribbon panels, the Pew Oceans Commission (POC)1 and the United States Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP),2 recently reviewed the state of our country’s declining ocean resources and made recommendations to policy makers about improving or overhauling existing ocean laws and management. While a majority of the commissions’ recommendations are directed to the federal government, many can be undertaken directly at the state level.