The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative’s (JOCI) latest report card graded the nation’s ocean management average—up to a C from a C- last year.

High grades went out to states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York for implementation of new ocean state legislation. The Sunshine State’s Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change received positive recognition for beginning to address the impacts of climate change on the state, including adaptation strategies to protect coastal resources and communities, says the report.

But then the grades drop.

“Because states and regions have done much of the groundwork for ocean and coastal protection on the local level, the building blocks are in place,” said Leon E. Panetta, co-chair of the JOCI. “But they can only go so far without federal collaboration and support.”

JOCI’s report card is based on the nation’s progress toward implementing the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, as well as the actions described in the Administration’s U.S. Ocean Action Plan.

“We have been waiting for five years for federal policymakers to implement the recommendations of these commissions,” said Admiral James D. Watkins, (U.S. Navy, Ret.) co-chair of the JOCI. “Time is no longer a luxury. The economic and security concerns alone caused by their failure to act should be enough to warrant great concern and unified action from Congress and the administration.”

The lack of significant federal progress to commit funding and pass meaningful ocean policy hinders improvement, reads the report. The report included such sections as the National Ocean Governance Reform; International Leadership; Research, Science, and Education; Fisheries Management Reform; New Funding for Ocean Policy and Programs; and Links between Oceans and Climate Change. None of the areas graded higher than a C+. See the entire report here: www.jointoceancommission.org/resource-center/2-Report-Cards/2008-02-27_2007_Ocean_Policy_Report_Card.pdf

High points include presidential, industrial, military and environmental support for the Law of the Sea Convention. Commitment would give U.S. leaders a seat at the table in ongoing international, oceanic negotiations. Another notable progress is the implementation of the initial steps of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act. For more information, visit www.jointoceancommission.org .