What's at Stake?
A lot.
Our ocean is warming, becoming more acidic, and holding less oxygen. We need scientific research and monitoring to understand the pace, scale, and scope of these changes and their effects on goods and services the ocean provides - like abundant and diverse fish stocks, carbon storage, and places to recreate and sustain livelihoods.
Good governance requires sound science to inform policy and management decisions. But limited resources exist to address existing and emerging challenges.
The West Coast must speak with one unified voice about the needed strategic investments to maintain the health and productivity of the ocean. Failure to do so will mean reduced ocean health, a decline in coastal and state economies and jobs, less seafood, fewer hospitable habitats for marine life, and declines in public health and well-being.
The time is now for West Coast states to set the agenda and realize a vision
for a healthy ocean and coast.
How important is the ocean and coast to the West Coast economy?
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Source: National Marine Fisheries Service. 2024. Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2022. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-248B, 28 p.
Source: NOAA ENOW. 2021. National Ocean Economics Program 2021, Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2021. Values are in 2019 dollars.
Coastal transportation infrastructure and coastal communities
Coastal hazards and sea level rise are amplified by changing ocean conditions. As an example, US 101 is a vital economic and emergency lifeline that connects coastal communities along the entire West Coast. Yet many sections of this highway are highly susceptible to erosion, landslides, wave action, storm surge, and rising sea levels that impact transportation and delivery of goods and services. Photo source: Oregon Department of Transportation.
Native fish and wildlife populations
Monitoring changes in species distribution and abundance with changing ocean conditions is key to ocean stewardship and health. Maintaining populations of marine species and ensuring the success of reintroduction efforts for species such as sea otters, is critical to maintaining the biodiversity of our ocean. A healthy ocean and coast will improve our ability to protect and sustain native fish and wildlife populations.
Commercial and recreational fisheries
In addition to the economic benefits of commercial and recreational fisheries described above, many Pacific coast species, such as salmon, are significant for Tribes - a source of nutrition, income, art, literature, heritage, celebration, cultural practices, and ceremony. Salmon are a keystone species, contributing to Pacific Coast ecosystem health and function.
Human physical and mental health, community, and societal wellbeing
The ocean is closely tied to human health, even for people that don't live near the coast. A healthy ocean provides a full suite of ecosystem services - climate regulation, tourism and recreation, coastal livelihoods, nutrient recycling, maritime heritage, food, and medicine. The ocean is a "blue prescription," providing aesthetic and spiritual benefits and serving as a buffer against depression and anxiety. Human health benefits are strongest when the ocean is healthy.