New Jersey § 13:19-34

§ 13:19-34.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The quality of life and strength of the economy in New Jersey are challenged by

persistent threats to the health and vitality of one of the State's most cherished

and fragile assets, its ocean resources; b. Coastal tourism is extremely important to the State economy, generating billions

of dollars annually and providing thousands of jobs throughout the region; c. Good water quality, healthy beaches, and abundant recreational opportunities are

essential to attracting visitors and sustaining coastal tourism; d. Despite regulatory efforts by the State to date, New Jersey residents continue

to face beach closings, seafood health advisories, and prohibitions on shellfishing

in some areas due to pollution; e. Reports such as the 2003 Pew Oceans Commission Report, entitled “America's Living

Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change,” and the 2004 Report of the United States

Commission on Ocean Policy, both document degraded ocean values, due to coastal and

ocean development, onshore and offshore pollution, certain fishing and aquaculture

practices, and invasive species, among other things; f. The ocean is a public trust and in order to ensure the protection of the public

trust, the governance of these ocean resources should be guided by principles of sustainability,

ecosystem health, precaution, recognition of the interconnectedness between land and

ocean, and public participation in the decision-making process; g. The Pew Oceans Commission and the United States Commission on Ocean Policy both

recommend that government agencies move toward an ecosystem-based management approach

and should be required to protect, maintain, and restore coastal and ocean ecosystems; h. Good governance and stewardship of coastal and ocean resources necessitate more

efficient and effective use of public funds; and i. Since many different State and local agencies are responsible for governing or

protecting New Jersey's coastal and ocean resources, there is a critical need for

these agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to ensure effective, comprehensive,

and consistent protection of coastal and ocean resources and ecosystems.