ORI Ecostewards call for comprehensive management of oceans and great lakes

To date more than 1,800 ORI ecostewards have signed onto our letter calling on President Obama's National Ocean Policy Task Force for a strong framework to better coordinate and manage.

In particular, ORI thanks more than 400 individuals who took the time to write personal comments stating why we must have strong, comprehensive policy for the management of great waters, salty and fresh.

Here is a sampling of a dozen comments, listed alphabetical by state:

I lived the first 40 years of my life in our planet's Great Lakes-Finger Lakes area and want my grandchildren and their children to enjoy them as I did. Now I live on the Pacific Coast and feel the same way about our oceans. As our planet's stewards, it is imperative that we preserve all its bodies of water for future generations to use and enjoy. Carpinteria, CA

Right now, there is an island of plastic in our ocean that is killing all kinds of living things. Many of the fish in the ocean are becoming toxic because of pollution. Every day, the waves get stronger and stronger. Many of us live next to our great waters. We need your help in keeping them and us and future generations healthy. San Francisco, CA

As a U.C. Berkeley and Cambridge University trained marine scientist, I urge you to do everything in your power to ensure that we conserve, preserve, clean up, protect and sustainably manage our oceans, rivers and lakes. There is no' truly' wise nor 'truly' responsible reason not to. And if not now, when? This is why we voted for you...why we kept believing we could do it. Please do not try to please everyone (i.e., those whose personal financial gain is paramount)...this only leads to an ineffective waste of time, and a lost opportunity to make lasting, positive change.
With genuine thanks and warm regards, Soquel, CA

Our oceans are already in deep trouble with the islands of trash, the acidification, and deterioration of fragile ecosystems that sustain all ocean life and provide vital resources for humans. We must restore and reverse the damage we are inflicting, by enacting strong, sustainable legislation that protects and preserves the oceans now and in the future. We must be stewards of the earth, not destroyers. Concord, CA

Please protect, conserve, and restore the health of our great waters with comprehensive legislation that addresses current and future needs. There is no life without water, and the quality of water will determine the quality of our lives. Longmont, CO

It is imperative to protect our marine life for numerous reasons. There is an abundance of knowledge we can gain from a healthy ocean. Not to mention our oceans’ value is something we can not possibly measure unless we one day harm it's resources irrepairably by negligence, and that is something we all must not allow to happen!! Our oceans and marine life are astonishingly beautiful and highly valuable. They are being jeopardized by the lack of strong implemented policies. This must be quickly addressed to ensure adequate protections for the future of our oceans, lakes and surrounding land masses. Colorado Springs, CO

Oceans are a vital part of our global ecosystem, regulating our climate and providing a significant food source for the world's population. It is already being damaged from being used as a dump-site for waste/trash, in some cases, extremely hazardous wastes, and from overfishing. The ecological balance of the oceans must be restored. Palm Bay, FL

We must vigorously protect our planet's water resources. If our water becomes fouled with toxins and pollutants, life will cease. The truly frightening part of life coming to an end if we do not have clean, safe water is that it will not end swiftly, but with much disease and suffering. Macon, GA

Saving our oceans and protecting them, and the species that inhabit our waterways, from being a dumping ground for toxic waste and garbage is critical to maintaining viable populations of these species. We must protect every link in the complex web of life. Healthy waters are important not only for the animals that live in these waters, but important for us, as we use the waters for recreation and sustenance. Please do all you can to protect them. Hailey, ID

It is vital to the whole planet to protect our seas and EVERY creature that lives in them. The legacy of humanity so far has been destruction. Let's make a CHANGE. Oak Lawn, IL

We all depend greatly on our oceans for food, temperature control and maintenance of many other important ecosystem functions. Please do whatever you can to protect our oceans. Boston, MA

Living in the coastal state of New Jersey, we rely heavily on the ocean as a livelihood for many as well as for recreation in the summer at the many resorts that line our coast. Oceans need to be protected because we are all so dependant upon them for food, recreation, and pleasure. They need to be protected for future generations to enjoy. Yardville, NJ