聯合海洋委員會於30日發表美國海洋政策的成績，由於美國國會及總統對於海洋保護行動未能投入充足的資金，因此聯邦政府2006年在此方面的政策未達到及格的標準。
在此次評鑑中以美國政府的行動、聯邦漁業改革、西北夏威夷群島國家保護區的劃定獲得最高分，其中地區與州際的海洋管理改革在6大項目中獲得A-，表現最好。美國在6大項目得分平均為C-，比2005年聯合海洋委員會所公佈的D+有小幅度的進步。
「對大多數的美國人而言，氣候變遷的議題需高度優先處理，然而氣候與海洋間的關係是緊緊相扣的，海洋在氣候變遷的過程中所扮演的關鍵角色卻鮮少被提及，」海洋聯合委員會副主席瓦特金（Admiral James Watkins）表示，「我們未能增加海洋與氣候變遷兩者關係的研究資金，以及其後續影響的控制，這意味著我們在試圖對抗氣候變遷將更為吃力。」
The failure of Congress and the President to commit sufficient funding to oceans protection in 2006 earned the federal government a grade of F on the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative's U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card, issued today.
State government initiatives, federal fisheries reform, and the designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument earned the highest marks, with regional and state ocean governance reform getting the highest grade for any of the six subjects measured in the report card, an A-. The United States received an average grade of C- for all six subjects, up slightly from the D+ assigned for 2005 by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative.
"Addressing climate change is a high priority for most Americans, and although the climate and oceans are inexorably intertwined, the critical role oceans play in climate change is seldom addressed," Watkins said. "Our failure to increase ocean science investments to learn more about this link and how to manage its impacts means we are trying to fight climate change with one arm tied behind our back."
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
