Oceans Act of 2000

The Oceans Act of 2000 established the United States Commission on Ocean Policy, a working group tasked with the development of what would be known as the National Oceans Report.

The objective of the report is to promote the following:

1. Protection of life and property;
2. Stewardship of ocean and coastal resources;
3. Protection of marine environment and prevention of marine pollution;
4. Enhancement of maritime commerce;
5. Expansion of human knowledge of the marine environment;
6. Investments in technologies to promote energy and food security;
7. Close cooperation among government agencies; and
8. U.S. leadership in ocean and coastal activities.

Responses from the executive branch to the commission's report are listed in a National Ocean Policy, sent to the legislative branch.

The act was passed by the United States Congress on July 25, 2000 and signed by the President a fortnight later.