After Congress passed the Oceans Act in 2000, President George W. Bush appointed 16 members from diverse backgrounds to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. The Commission was charged with developing recommendations for a new and comprehensive national ocean policy. On April 20, 2004 the Commission released it Preliminary Report for review and comment by the nation’s governors and interested stakeholders.

• Read the Preliminary Draft Report prepared by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy [PDF - 4.95 MB]
• Former Governor Bush Applauds Work to Protect Florida's Oceans - 04/21/04
• Deadline Extended for Response to Oceans Report - 05/17/04
• Letter from Former Governor Jeb Bush to the Commission Chairman - 04/22/04 [PDF - 467KB]
• Statement By: Department of Environmental Protection Former Secretary Colleen M. Castille Regarding the Federal Response to the U.S. Ocean Commission’s Final Report on Ocean Policy-12/17/04

Protecting Florida’s Oceans

Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, three of the nation’s National Estuarine Research Reserves and one of the largest underwater refuges in the world. Recognizing the importance of our coastal ecosystems to our economy and quality of life, Florida has taken important steps to strengthen coastal protection over the last five years…more

Florida Reaffirms Commitment to Ocean Protection

Florida is strengthening coastal management and protection through sound science, conservation, restoration and education. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are spearheading the first comprehensive, coordinated approach to protecting water quality and marine habitat in the seas of our coast…more