Ocean management policy development in subnational units of government: examples from the United States

Changes in law and policy over the last decade within the US have resulted in greater state-level influence over ocean use policy. At the same time there has been initiative at the state level of government to increase capacity for ocean management through policy development, and in a few cases, policy implementation. It is suggested that this trend of state involvement will continue because the vehicles for state participation in ocean affairs are institutionalized.