As the voice of the oceanographic community in Washington, DC, Ocean Leadership elevates the importance of ocean science within the Congress and the Administration and advocates for sound ocean policy and investment through aggressive education and advocacy campaigns.  A consortium representing 95 of the leading public and private ocean research and education institutions, aquaria and industries, Ocean Leadership has a greater influence on public policy than any individual insitution could have on its own.   Ocean Leadership regularly submits Congressional testimony, letters to Congress, and public comments on pending administrative rules, regulations and actions.  Ocean Leadership also publishes its annual "advocacy priorities", which highlights the top critical issues that the organization intends to champion.

To help shape the future of oceanography, Ocean Leadership advocates for:

• Competitive Research
• Infrastructure required to conduct research (i.e. vessels, satellites, observing systems, etc)
• Education  

Ocean Leadership delivers its key messages through its proactive Communications program.  Ocean Leadership’s President, Bob Gagosian acts as a key spokesman who address issues of importance to the community and serve as accessible resources for advice and information.  Ocean Leadership monitors marine science issues with national media representatives and actively seeks out opportunities to bring awareness and appreciation of our oceans to the public through various media.

Public Policy Forum

Each year, Consortium for Ocean Leadership hosts a one-day Public Policy Forum. This year's event, held on February 28, 2008, focused on ocean science infrastructure.

2007 Public Policy Forum

Federal Ocean Agencies

Department of Commerce (http://www.home.doc.gov/)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov/)

Department of Defense (http://www.defenselink.mil/)

Army Corps of Engineers (http://www.usace.army.mil/)

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (http://www.darpa.mil/)

U.S. Navy (http://www.navy.mil/)

Office of Naval Research (http://www.onr.navy.mil/)

Oceanographer of the Navy (http://www.oceanographer.navy.mil/)

Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov/)

Department of Interior (http://www.doi.gov/)

U.S. Geological Survey (http://www.usgs.gov/)

Minerals Management Service (http://www.mms.gov/)

Department of State (http://www.state.gov/)

Department of Transportation (http://www.dot.gov/)

U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil/)

The White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/)

Office of Management and Budget (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/)

Office of Science and Technology Policy (http://www.ostp.gov/)

Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (http://www.nasa.gov/)

National Science Foundatione (http://www.nsf.gov/)

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES

There are mroe than 50 Congressional Committees and Subcommittees of the House and Senate with jurisdiction over ocean research and policy. These committee oversee the various federal agencies whose missions include ocean science and policy.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Appropriations Committee

• Commerce, Justisce, Science, and Related Agencies (NOAA, NSF, NASA)
• Defense (ONR, DARPA)
• Energy and Water Development (DOE)
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (USGS, MMS, EPA)

Armed Services Committee

• Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities (ONR)
• Strategic Forces (DARPA)

Budget Committee (all agencies)

Energy and Commerce Committee

• Energy and Air Quality (DOE)
• Environment and Hazardous Materials (EPA, NOAA)
• Oversight and Investigations (EPA, DOE, NOAA)

Natural Resources Committee

• Energy and Mineral Resources (USGS, MMS)
• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans (NOAA)

Science and Technology Committee

• Energy and Environment (DOE, EPA, NOAA)
• Research and Science Education (NSF)
• Space and Aeronautics (NASA)

Intelligence Committee (DOD)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

• Water Resources and Environment (EPA)
• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation

United States Senate

Appropriations Committee

• Commerce, Justice, and Science (NOAA, NSF, NASA)
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (State Department)
• Defense (ONR, DARPA)
• Energy and Water Development (DOE)
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (USGS, MMS, EPA, CEQ)

Armed Services Committee

• Emerging Threats and Capabilities (ONR, DARPA)

Budget Committee (all agencies)

Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee

• Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
• Science, Technology, and Innovation
• Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences
• Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

• Energy (DOE)

Environment and Public Works Committee

• Private Sectore and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection
• Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children's Health Protection
• Superfund and Environmental Health

Foreign Relations (DOS, UNCLOS)

Select Intelligence Committee (DOD)