The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

Although nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is water, the public at large does not fully appreciate how important that huge expanse is to mankind. The Living Oceans Foundation seeks to improve public knowledge about our living oceans.

On September 20, 2004, the United States Commission on Ocean Policy released its final report entitled “An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century.” See http://www.oceancommission.gov/ to download a copy of this document. The Executive Summary of that report includes a powerful message about the importance of our living oceans and highlights the need for better public understanding of the issues regarding the health of our oceans and the impact on our nation and the world. The following is an excerpt from the Commission report: Evaluating the Vast Wealth of U.S. Oceans and Coasts

“America is a nation surrounded by and reliant on the oceans. From the fisherman in Maine, to the homemaker in Oregon, to the businessperson in Miami, and even the farmer in Iowa, every American influences and is influenced by the sea. Our grocery stores are stocked with fish, our docks bustle with waterborne cargo, and millions of tourists visit our coastal communities each year, creating jobs and pumping dollars into our economy. Born of the ocean are clouds that bring life-sustaining rain to our fields and reservoirs, microscopic plankton that generate the oxygen we breathe, energy that fuels industry and sustains our standard of living, and biological diversity that is unmatched on land. Careful stewardship of our ocean and coastal resources is imperative to conserve and enhance the financial, ecological, and aesthetic benefits we have come to rely upon and enjoy.”

It is an easy stretch to apply the findings of this commission to many other countries around the world. The health of our oceans and coasts is a global challenge and man-made borders are of little consequence. That is the genesis of our Science Without Borders® theme – concern for the health of our living oceans transcends all borders!