Governments trying to reel in 'ocean sprawl' (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

By John D. Sutter
CNN

(CNN) -- We all know what happens when urban sprawl gets out of control: Commutes back up, smog thickens, and concrete suburbs gobble up green spaces.

But what about "ocean sprawl"?

Until recently, no one gave that idea much thought. But the oceans, like the land, have gotten crowded, and now scientists and policy makers are looking for ways to plan ocean development -- with the aim of preventing our public-owned seas from turning into sprawling, watery versions of Houston, Texas, or Atlanta, Georgia.

"The oceans are kind of the last frontier for use and development," said Amanda Leland, ocean policy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, an advocacy group. "Even in the 1970s we thought that the oceans were limitless resources of fish. We know today now that fisheries are collapsing all around the world."

In an attempt to address this and other crowding problems, governments are for the first time devising comprehensive plans for their marine waters.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/07/15/ocean.planning/index.html




Obama is taking the lead on this -- the grownups are back in charge.

[timeforpeace]

1. Recently sailed across the Caribbean, BVIs to Belize, saw 5 ships total in 1600 miles. Not crowded.