Public comment before the US ocean commission, Alaska Regional Meeting, Anchorage, Aug,. 22, 2002

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Public Hearing, Anchorage, Alaska 8/21/02 Summary of Testimony: Rick Steiner, Professor, Conservation Specialist University of Alaska Marine Advisory Program < afrgs@uaa.alaska.edu > Recommendations for U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy 1. Establish Pacific Environment Council (PEC) - authorize and finance U.S. leadership and participation in the establishment of a new, intergovernmental institution for ocean governance across the Pacific basin, composed the Environment and Maritime related Ministries of all 21 member nations/economies of Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC). The PEC should be a standing body, either as adjunct to APEC or separate organization, meet annually, and develop and implement a Pacific Environment - Agenda 2010 to eliminate, to the extent possible, sources of environmental degradation in the Pacific ocean, including transboundary pollution, habitat degradation, and overexploitation of living resources. 2. Establish U.S. Marine Fisheries Commission - authorize and appropriate funds for the establishment of an independent, professional oversight body, similar to the Marine Mammal Commission, to oversee implementation of all federal fisheries legislation and administrative actions. 3. Establish U.S. Seabird Commission - authorize and appropriate funds for the establishment of an independent, professional oversight body, similar to the marine Mammal Commission, to oversee ...