In 2004, the US Ocean Commission proposed several key recommendations to address the health and management of our oceans. These recommendations range from better organizing current management offices to educating the public on ocean and coastal issues. The importance of healthy oceans, waterways and coastal areas cannot be denied. As humans we rely on these areas for food, fuel, materials for various products, and recreational activities, to name a few. In addition to the human aspect, the health of the oceans is also linked to the air and land. Many other creatures around the world depend on a harmonious balance of the human species with the waters around us. The sooner we can find balance with nature, the sooner we can be confident that the oceans will continue to support us in the future. The first key recommendation we will look at is the creation of a National Oceanographic Council, chaired by an assistant to the President, and create a Presidential Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy in the Executive Office of the President. The creation of an oversight council will provide current organizations that manage the oceans with a point of leadership. Basically instead of many state regulated groups reporting to people only in their regions, they would have a council to report to that has a direct connection to the president. Therefore decision makers would be informed and educated through the advice, allowing them to decide on topics more proactively and precisely. This would improve communications between scientists and other ocean management organizations on the ground with staff at higher levels of government. Creation of the National Ocean Coun... middle of paper.... Not only that, but a number of people will want to get involved proactively, perhaps by joining clubs dedicated to the conservation of coastal areas and fisheries. Awareness of how bad things are or how bad they can be can also help those with money share some of it for projects related to conservation and resource management. Ultimately, we all depend on the world's oceans. With such a generous, beautiful and powerful resource we should learn to live in balance with it so that we can continue to accept all it has to offer. (The US Ocean Counsel, 2004) Works Cited The US Ocean Counsel. (2004). US Commission on Ocean Policy. USA: US Commission on Ocean Policy. US Department of Commerce. (2009, June 11). Integrated ocean observation system The basics. Retrieved April 6, 2010, from Integrated Ocean Observing System: http://ioos.gov/about/basics.html