Monday’s announcement of a new U.S. National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes (National Policy) should be a turning point in the country’s management of its coastlines and seas, and represents an important first step for improving global ocean health. That was the reaction of Dr. Gregory Stone today, Chief Ocean Scientist for Conservation International (CI). “Simply put, this is a monumental moment in ocean management by the United States, and a very positive step in the right direction for ocean health,” said Dr. Stone. “It could not have come at a more critical time for our oceans, which have been under siege from devastating, long-term threats that include the depletion of fisheries, habitat destruction, toxic pollution, and rising temperatures.”