S.C.R. No. 238 Summary

• Requests President Obama establish a national policy by Executive Order to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystem health with dedicated federal funding for ocean and coastal conservation and management.

• Supports establishment of a Regional Ocean Council for Hawaii and surrounding economic enterprise zone with transparent, participatory planning that requires robust stakeholder engagement throughout all development and implementation phases.

• Identifies fragmented federal jurisdiction (20 agencies administering 140 laws) over fresh and salt water resources as creating confusion and harmful policies affecting island ecosystems and oceans.

• Addresses threats to marine health including invasive species damaging reefs and tourism economy, invasive fish harming native sport fish populations, and wetland degradation affecting recreational and commercial fishing.

• Requests Congress provide robust funding for the effort and directs transmission of the resolution to the President, Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Governor.