Letter to President Obama

May 26, 2009

Urge the Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea

May 26, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

On June 8, the international community will mark the first annual World Oceans Day. What better time to announce your support for U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea?

U.S. support for the Law of the Sea is needed now. Despite the importance of the seas to the well-being of humanity, the increased growth in population, resource demand, and trade has put the oceans under unprecedented stress. The world's fish stocks are rapidly deteriorating, global trade via the seas is rapidly expanding, and marine ecosystems are under stress from pollution, global warming, and other human activities. Illegal overfishing in places like the Gulf of Aden has directly contributed to violent conflict and the rise of piracy, threatening U.S. and international security. A comprehensive framework to govern humanity's use of the seas will help preserve and restore the oceans, safeguard international trade, and manage conflicts peacefully.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, sometimes described as a "constitution for the oceans," establishes a legal regime governing activities on, over, and under the world's oceans. FCNL and Quakers have a long history of support for the Law of the Sea, dating back to the very development of the treaty. In recent years, a wide range of groups have joined in supporting the treaty, including the U.S. business community, military leaders, environmental groups, and international law experts.

U.S. support for this treaty was a major catalyst for its development. Beginning with the Reagan Administration, successive U.S. administrations - both Democrat and Republican - have concluded that having a comprehensive legal framework governing the use of the world's oceans would help stabilize the geopolitical environment. In 1994 the treaty entered into force, and 157 countries plus the European Union have now joined it. As of yet, the U.S. has not ratified it.

U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea would send an important signal to the international community and would expand the role of the United States in helping manage the world's oceans cooperatively at a critical time. We urge you to demonstrate your support for the Law of the Sea on World Oceans Day, June 8, by asking publicly that the Senate ratify the treaty this year.

Sincerely,

Joe Volk
Executive Secretary