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|  Regional Ocean Council FormedFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK (June 4, 2009) – New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine today joined four other Mid-Atlantic Governors in signing a landmark agreement stating they will work together to protect the Atlantic Ocean. For years, ocean advocates like the New Jersey Coastal Ocean Coalition have encouraged states to work together in The new agreement creates the Governors Mid-Atlantic Council on Oceans, which is committed to working together to protect the seaboard’s important offshore habitats, promote offshore renewable energy, address water quality issues, and tackle climate change impacts in the ocean, including sea level rise. The new council will include New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Statements from members of the New Jersey Coastal Ocean Coalition follow: “Our oceans don’t stop at state lines and, now, neither will our efforts to protect them,” said Alison Chase, Policy Analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “These governors are breaking new ground with today’s announcement they will work together to protect the Atlantic. This is not only good news for beachgoers and seafood lovers; it’s good news for the jobs and state revenue that rely on a healthy Atlantic Ocean. And with enormous potential for offshore renewable energy in the Atlantic, these states can now work together better to help us all move toward a clean energy economy – and make sure we do it right the first time.” “Both the marine environment and economy will benefit from this new council and we look forward to working with it, in particular to find ways to replenish fish populations and help fishermen prosper,” said Dan Whittle, Southeast Oceans Regional Director, Environmental Defense Fund. “We have seen more beach closings, dissolved oxygen levels dropping, the threat of sea level rise, over development polluting our coast and a loss of fisheries – basically our oceans are in trouble,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the NJ Sierra Club. “So we are glad to see the states coming together to work on ocean issues and we strongly encourage New Jersey to take immediate steps to implement the Pew Oceans Report and protect our coast. We need to have a plan for action otherwise the coast we love will not be there for future generations.” “New Jersey Environmental Lobby is glad that the Governors are taking a critical step to coordinate our ocean policy. We hope that New Jersey uses this event to begin implementing current laws and addressing in a meaningful way the deteriorating health of our oceans. Our oceans are too important to let fail,” said Michael Pisauro, Legislative Affairs Director of the New Jersey Environmental Lobby. “Today’s agreement is a good sign that New Jersey appears ready to coordinate ocean policy with our leading neighbors like New York,” said David Pringle, Campaign Director of the NJ Environmental Federation, the Garden State Chapter of Clean Water Action. “For New Jersey to lead, Governor Corzine needs to stop |
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