President Obama established an Ocean Policy Task Force in June that is now seeking public comments. Anyone can comment and we encourage all to do so, even if you can only spend a few minutes submitting your thoughts online.We encourage all our Partner ZAMs and others to take advantage of this opportunity to get more involved in important policy issues. As we blogged about last month, ZAMs can, and should, play more of an important role with policy issues.

Any comments are welcome. The Task Force asks that comments focus on any of the five key issues identified in the June 12 Presidential Memorandum including national ocean policy; a framework for policy coordination; implementation strategies; marine spatial planning; and emerging issues on ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes policy. But don’t let these five identified issues scare you away from submitting comments. Much fits under “National Ocean Policy” that strives to protect and conserve the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resource. One of the greatest threats to the health of the ocean, and our own health as a society, is an unaware and uninvolved public.

Advocating for expanded funding for educational programs on ocean awareness and education should be a top concern of the Administration but it’s up to us to make sure they take this subject seriously.

Take a few minutes soon and click here to submit your comments