Taking the Long View of Ocean Ecosystems: Historical Science, Marine Restoration, and the Oceans Act of 2000

Abstract

This article discusses means for restoring ocean biodiversity in light of recent science arguments that marine species are already severely depleted compared to historical levels. Using the Oceans Act of 2000 as the impetus for legal reform, the article assesses the weaknesses in the current United States regimes for regulating ocean resources and argues that increased attention must be paid to preservation of marine wilderness through marine protected areas.

Keywords: science, biodiversity, marine, ocean, Oceans Act, marine protected area