Our ocean and coastal waterways are essential to our national security, international trade, maritime commerce, global competitiveness, and transportation.  The jobs of more than 3 million Americans depend on our ocean economy, which generates more than $300 billion of economic activity annually.  During National Ocean Month, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible stewardship of our ocean resources to strengthen and expand economic opportunities, while also ensuring that the natural beauty and wonder of the oceans are preserved and maintained for future generations.1

Why should we care about the ocean?
Our ocean provides countless benefits to our planet and all the creatures that live here.2

1. Proclamation on National Ocean Month, 2020

2. Ocean Facts, Our Ocean World, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/why-care-about-ocean.html