HI HCR323

Request for President Barack Obama to establish a national ocean policy by executive order to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems with guaranteed funding for ocean and coastal conservation.

Request for creation of a Regional Ocean Council for Hawaii and surrounding exclusive economic zones with emphasis on stakeholder and public participation in development, adoption, implementation, and evaluation.

Addresses lack of coordination among multiple federal agencies (EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, Fish and Wildlife Service, and others) that administer over 140 laws affecting water resources.

Identifies threats to Hawaii's marine ecosystems including invasive species costing hundreds of millions annually, invasive fish competing with native sport fish, wetland degradation, and harmful algae blooms.

Request for U.S. Congress to provide necessary federal funding for implementation of national ocean policy throughout the Pacific region.