If the ancients had known what the earth was really like,
they undoubtedly would have named it Oceanus.
from The Matchless Phenomenon of the Sea

The Marine Resources Committee is "oceancentric,” focusing on issues related to the largest ecosystem on Earth, covering more than seventy percent of the earth's surface. The Committee looks at issues arising from the protection and use of coastal and ocean areas, including the Great Lakes' "sweet water seas," and the multiple stressors that operate on ocean and coastal ecosystems. Activities of interest are as diverse as the marine ecosystems, and include marine transportation, from tankers and cruise ships to maritime security; exploration and production of natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals; ports and terminals; weather and climate change; and fishing and aquaculture (a key item, given that fisheries provide the main source of protein for nearly half of the world's six billion people). Legal issues are equally diverse, ranging from the "harvest" of marine mineral and biological resources to pollution from vessels, atmospheric deposition, sewage and coastal zone development and degradation, to non-indigenous or exotic nuisance species.

These are exciting times for the Marine Resources Committee! With the long-anticipated release of the United States Ocean’s Commission’s Report, the new ocean-related legislation – and perhaps even a significant reworking of this nation’s oceans management policies – may be at hand. The Commission’s Report complements the earlier release of the Pew Ocean Commission’s Report, and the Committee leadership anticipates that it will address these two reports and any legislative amendments that develop through a series of “brown bag” teleconference presentations in 2005. We also anticipate that we will organize a panel discussion about these developments for the SEER Annual Fall Meeting in 2006 in San Diego – please plan to join us there!

Of course, the Committee leadership will strive to keep our members informed of these developments as they occur, through e-mail communications and committee newsletters. Another possible development in the next two years, for example, is the United States ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Marine Resources Committee includes lawyers from private practice, government, public interest and academia, as well as scientists, research fellows and experts in marine resources issues. Our members not only think about these issues, but work on one or more of them on a regular basis. We welcome your membership in the Marine Resources Committee and encourage you to participate in this expanding area of environmental law. Thank you for learning about us. With so many issues, events, and interesting people, we think in joining us that you, too, will become "oceancentric."

Co-Chairs:
Patrick F. Flanigan

Michael W. Wascom

Vice Chairs:
Committee Newsletters
Robin K. Craig

Membership
Michael Mastry

Programs
Randall Geuy

Public Service
Francine Marie Ffolkes

Technology
Milo C. Mason

The Year in Review
Gerald F. George

Additional (Domestic Ocean Policy Issues)
Thomas C. Jensen

Additional (Hot Topics)
James F. Simon

Additional (International Ocean Policy Issues)
Elizabeth Etrie