[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 486 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 486

 Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, 
           maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 2023

   Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon, Mr. Huffman, Mrs. 
  Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Case, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. 
   Panetta, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Soto, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. 
Kilmer, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Salazar, and Mr. Lieu) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 
and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, 
           maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources.

Whereas the ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet's surface;
Whereas the ocean generates the oxygen we breathe, regulates our climate and 
        weather patterns, supplies food, is a source of cultural value, supports 
        tourism and trade, and is an untapped energy resource;
Whereas Indigenous people have stewarded our oceans and are deeply connected to 
        the oceans as a key component of culture, food security, and 
        spirituality;
Whereas scientists estimate more than 80 percent of the ocean remains 
        unexplored, and the United States has committed to advance a National 
        Strategy on Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization;
Whereas the health of our ocean is a reflection of the health of our planet;
Whereas the United States has joined the High Level Panel for a Sustainable 
        Ocean Economy and committed to advancing a national sustainable economy 
        plan by 2026;
Whereas the White House Ocean Policy Committee has committed to advancing 
        coordinated Federal action on ocean and coastal management, science, 
        technology, and advancing an ocean climate action plan;
Whereas 2023 marks the third year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science 
        for Sustainable Development (in this resolution referred to as ``the 
        Decade'');
Whereas the Decade will help accelerate research to address gaps in ocean 
        science, strengthen international cooperation, and improve ocean 
        management;
Whereas a scientific priority of the Decade is to create a comprehensive digital 
        atlas of the ocean and strengthen ocean observations;
Whereas changes in ocean chemistry, temperature, and biodiversity pose a very 
        real threat to marine resources, industries, and jobs;
Whereas approximately one-fourth of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 
        dissolves into our ocean, causing water chemistry to change and become 
        more acidic;
Whereas ocean acidification harms oysters, mussels, lobsters, clams, corals, and 
        other species building shells and skeletons and reproducing;
Whereas some finfish experience neurological changes in acidic waters, altering 
        their behaviors and actions;
Whereas 45 percent of all marine mammals on the International Union for 
        Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species have been affected 
        by lost and abandoned fishing gear;
Whereas, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
        Change, the ocean has taken up more than 90 percent of excess heat in 
        the climate system since 1970, and marine heat waves are very likely to 
        become longer lasting, more intense, and more extensive;
Whereas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 80 
        percent of pollution to the ocean comes from land;
Whereas increased temperatures and nutrient runoff can result in harmful algal 
        blooms that accumulate, die, decompose, and consume oxygen, leaving 
        waterways in a hypoxic or anoxic state that can result in massive fish 
        kills and the formation of ``dead zones'' where marine life cannot 
        survive;
Whereas the decrease in biodiversity, and decline and shifts in distribution of 
        fish, will affect the livelihoods and food security of coastal 
        communities;
Whereas Tribes have a right and a deep cultural and historical connection to the 
        fisheries threatened by changing ocean conditions;
Whereas, according to the United Nations, more than 11,000,000 tons of plastic 
        end up in the ocean each year from land-based sources alone;
Whereas recent studies suggest that lost, abandoned, or otherwise discarded 
        fishing gear could make up 46 to 70 percent of the floating macroplastic 
        in the ocean gyres by weight;
Whereas marine debris harms our coastal economies, endangers marine life, 
        destroys important marine habitats, propagates invasive species, and 
        creates hazardous conditions for the maritime industry;
Whereas tiny pieces of plastics, fibers, fragments, and microbeads also make 
        their way into the marine food web, blocking digestive tracts, altering 
        growth, and in some cases killing animals and marine organisms;
Whereas marine debris is considered a growing global crisis that requires 
        collaborative work with partners from across the world;
Whereas the United Nations has recognized that vulnerable communities 
        disproportionately suffer the consequences of environmental degradation 
        caused by plastic pollution and recognizes that environmental justice 
        should be a consideration in marine conservation;
Whereas we need to improve our understanding of the implications of 
        environmental stressors, such as ocean acidification, harmful algal 
        blooms, hypoxia, marine debris, warming ocean temperatures, overfishing, 
        and rising sea levels;
Whereas many of these environmental stressors are indicators of a changing 
        climate and threaten our economy and the livelihood of vulnerable 
        coastal communities;
Whereas 5 to 30 percent of global harvestable fish stocks are affected by ghost 
        gear every year, threatening global food security, coastal communities, 
        and fisher livelihoods;
Whereas across the United States, coastal communities contribute 
        $9,500,000,000,000 to the United States economy annually as well as 
        support 58,300,000 jobs;
Whereas, in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8 as 
        ``World Oceans Day''; and
Whereas World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to recommit to protect, 
        conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes World Oceans Day and affirms the individual 
        and collective duty, both nationally and internationally, to 
        protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its 
        resources;
            (2) affirms the stewardship of ocean resources, cultures, 
        and communities that are vital to both present and future 
        generations; and
            (3) commits to increasing the investment of Federal funds 
        in scientific research and monitoring to better understand our 
        changing ocean and empower the Federal Government to address 
        and mitigate the effects of the changing climate, solve 
        management challenges, and accomplish the goals of the United 
        Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
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