Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine natural resources.

Water covers two-thirds of the world’s surface. The oceans hold secrets that scientists are just beginning to unlock – secrets that include, unfortunately, sunken ships, dumped refuse, and toxic runoff. The oceans belong to no one, so no one assumes responsibility for them. Meanwhile, overexploitation and pollution reduce our food supply and condemn some species to extinction.

This collection addresses these issues as well as a host of others, such as: how incautious shipping delivers alien plants and animals that threaten far-flung freshwater and marine life, how entrepreneurs using cyanide to collect aquarium fish are killing coral reefs, and how rising mercury levels in marine fish endanger our health.

If we are to solve the ecological threats to our shared resources, international cooperation is imperative. Regulating fishing, reducing toxic pollution, generating power and new sources of food, and desalinizing ocean water for human consumption are all important issues that require immediate attention. This collection of articles explores a number of issues and solutions regarding the protection of our marine natural resources.