Ocean Champions is the only political voice for ocean health. We take a non-partisan approach in working with
the U.S. Congress to ensure ocean health through electoral and legislative action.

Priority Issues

Electoral

We help elect members of congress who will fight to protect our oceans, and, we defeat candidates and members who don’t. That, in essence, is what Ocean Champions is all about.

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Harmful Algal Blooms

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 was introduced in the Senate by two of our Ocean Champions in Congress, Senators Olympia Snowe (R, ME) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) on May 1st, 2009.  It was introduced by Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) in the House on September 25th, 2009. The HABs bill will develop and promote a national strategy to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through baseline research, forecasting and monitoring, and mitigation and control. Read More >>

National Ocean Policy

The ocean is vital to the health of the planet and to human survival. It provides critical habitat for marine species, helps regulate climate, and provides half the oxygen we breathe. It provides food, energy, shipping lanes and of course, incredible recreation. Given all these diverse functions, it’s no surprise that 20 different Federal agencies have jurisdiction over some aspect of our oceans, coasts and great lakes, and that over 140 different laws govern ocean issues. Read more >>

Ending Overfishing

In 2006, Ocean Champions played a significant role in reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-S Act). The M-S Act is the primary Federal statute governing how we manage our Nation’s fisheries and its ability to control overfishing, rebuild depleted fish populations and achieve sustainable fisheries management. The reauthorization established a target for ending overfishing in U.S.fisheries by 2010. Read more >>

Beyond Offshore Oil Drilling

The massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrates that the risks of offshore drilling are far greater than the rewards. Drilling technology is not reliable, and as BP has demonstrated, Big Oil does NOT have the capability to quickly shut down spills when they occur. .

Ocean Champions is proud to have helped elect many of those in Congress who are leading the fight against offshore drilling and for renewable energy. Read more >>

Oceans 21

OCEANS-21 (HR 21: Ocean Conservation, Education, & National Strategy for the 21st Century Act) was introduced by one of our Ocean Champions in Congress, Rep. Sam Farr (D-Ca, 17th) and the bill would be the first comprehensive national oceans policy if passed. Read more >>

Ocean Acidification

The bottom line: ocean acidification is harming many forms of marine life and will continue to while increasing in severity unless we take action now to reverse it. In 2009 three Ocean Champions in Congress, Representatives Markey, Baird and Senator Lautenberg took a leadership role in introducing legislation that will address ocean acidification. Read more >>