Marine Economy
U.S. islands need government policies that promote marine protected areas, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable, thriving fisheries to support their marine economies and combat climate change.
In order to become climate resilient, U.S. islands need marine protected areas, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable, thriving fisheries to support their marine economies and combat climate change. Islands should have access to the best available data and science to manage their marine resources and should prioritize education and training to prepare islanders to manage fishing, recreation, and ecotourism businesses. Island communities need access to funding and resources to build marine economies that create jobs and help islands become more resilient. To create a sustainable marine economy, marine infrastructure must be built and retrofitted to withstand hurricanes, sea-level rise, and frequent flooding.
The following federal policy recommendations will help U.S. islands achieve climate resilience:
Ensure island communities have the resources and assistance necessary to support strong and sustainable marine economies.
Support island communities to directly engage in the growth and operation of their own marine economies.
Ensure island communities have representation on decision-making bodies and have meaningful opportunities for input into regulatory processes.