Our nation’s waters are vital to its well-being and economy. The
marine environment of the United States is one of the most
valuable natural resources on Earth. It contains one-fifth of
the world’s fishery resources. It is also a region of
extraordinary recreation, energy and mineral resources, and
transportation activities. Finally, it is an inseparable part of
our national heritage and daily fabric of life in our coastal
communities. The Coast Guard’s role in protecting natural
resources dates to the 1820s when Congress tasked the Revenue
Marine to protect federal stocks of Florida live oak trees.
These trees were deemed critical to the security of our young
nation because they provided the best wood for shipbuilding. As
the exploitation of the Nation’s valuable marine resources—
whales, fur bearing animals, and fish—increased, we were given
the duty to protect those resources as well. Today, U.S. waters
support commercial and recreational fisheries worth more than
$30 billion annually, and we serve as the