In the first 100 days in office, President Obama and his newly appointed agency heads have moved quickly to address some priority ocean issues, particularly our energy policy for federal ocean areas-the Outer Continental Shelf-and ocean impacts of climate change and ocean acidification.  There is still much to be done, but we are hopeful that the President will continue to consult strategic thinkers who have provided recommendations to the Administration on the key priorities for improving ocean governance, and ultimately ocean health.  Here are some key ocean highlights from Obama's first 100 days:

Esteemed scientist Jane Lubchenco appointed to Head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is charged with the science collection and policy-making related to oceans, fisheries, and climate.  From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, the new NOAA Administrator, Jane Lubchenco, will play an essential role in ensuring effective management of our ocean and coastal resources.   As Sarah Chasis of NRDC wrote, "There is no one better suited to leading that agency than Jane. She is a world-class scientist who understands that urgent action is needed to reverse the serious decline of ocean resources. She will bring the best science to bear in developing effective strategies to revive both U.S. and global fisheries, prevent and prepare for the impacts of global warming, and protect endangered marine wildlife."

Ocean advocate made head of the CIA.

• Mr. Panetta is a long-time ocean advocate, formerly the Co-Chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, which recently released a set of Ocean recommendations to the Obama Administration.  Although he is a CIA-outsider, his understanding of natural resources and federal administrative procedures will bring a positive new perspective to the Agency.

Kenneth Salazar, appointed as Secretary of U.S. Department of the Interior, moved quickly on ocean energy policy.

• Secretary Salazar's decades of experience in environmental law bode well for his work overseeing the management of our precious natural resources.
• Secretary Salazar moved quickly on the development of an energy policy for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS): ordering a 45 day assessment of ocean energy resources; opening up the bad Bush ocean drilling policy for extended public comment; holding a series of hearings around the country to gather information from leaders and the public on this important issue; signing the MOU with FERC; and releasing final regulations governing renewable energy on the Outer Continental Shelf (more on these last two below).
• Secretary Salazar and Chairman Wellinghoff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)  signed an important MOU to help resolve jurisdictional debate between FERC and the Minerals Management Service regarding renewable energy development in the OCS. 
• To celebrate Earth Day 2009, President Obama and Interior Secretary Salazar unveiled the final framework for renewable energy production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.  "It is fitting that on Earth Day President Obama is taking this bold step toward opening America's oceans and new energy frontier, so that we can wisely build a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs across the country,"  Secretary Salazar said.   "This new framework will enhance our energy security and create the foundation for a new offshore energy sector that will employ Americans developing clean and renewable energy."

Obama's new administration makes important advances to address Ocean Acidification:

• In response to a 2007 petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will address ocean acidification, reevaluating standards for ocean pH to regulate carbon dioxide levels under the Clean Water Act.
• EPA also formally named carbon dioxide as a "pollutant" that threatens public health and welfare - and is therefore under EPA legal authority to control.
• The Omnibus Public Land Management Act was passed-this contains the federal ocean acidification research and monitoring act (FOARAM Act ), which directs the federal government to develop comprehensive interagency research plan for ocean acidification and calls for $90 million to be split between NOAA and NSF.