Includes bibliographical references.

I: Our oceans: a national asset -- Recognizing ocean assets and challenges -- Understanding the past to shape a new national ocean policy -- Setting the nation's sights -- II: Blueprint for change: a new national ocean policy framework -- Enhancing ocean leadership and coordination -- Advancing a regional approach -- Coordinating management in Federal waters -- Strengthening the Federal agency structure -- III: Ocean stewardship: the importance of education and public awareness -- Promoting lifelong ocean education -- IV: Living on the edge: economic growth and resource conservation along the coast -- Managing coasts and their watersheds -- Guarding people and property against natural hazards -- Conserving and restoring coastal habitat -- Managing sediment and shorelines -- Supporting marine commerce and transportation -- V: Clear waters ahead: coastal and ocean water quality -- Addressing coastal water pollution -- Creating a national monitoring network -- Limiting vessel pollution and improving vessel safety -- Preventing the spread of invasive species -- Reducing marine debris -- VI: Ocean value and vitality: enhancing the use and protection of ocean resources -- Achieving sustainable fisheries -- Protecting marine mammals and endangered marine species -- Achieving a sustained, integrated ocean observing system -- Enhancing ocean infrastructure and technology development -- Modernizing ocean data and information systems -- VIII: The global ocean: U.S. participation in international policy -- Advancing international ocean science and policy -- IX: Moving ahead: implementing a new national ocean policy -- Funding needs and possible sources -- Summary of recommendations. Accompanying CD-ROM contains full text of the final report, including the executive summary, chapters 1-31, and appendicies A-G. Also contains supplementary reports- a special addendum and 6 additional appendicies. Accompanying DVD contains 2 segments: the first shows the developmental process into making the report, the second shows a summary of the findings and recommendations of the report.