The Clean Ocean Zone is an initiative coordinated by Clean Ocean Action but written, supported, and promoted by all of the citizens with an interest in a clean, healthy, New York/New Jersey ocean.

If we succeed in achieving federal protection for the NY/NJ ocean, we would be creating the nation's first "Clean Ocean Zone" - where pollution is locked out and clean ocean uses such as fishing, surfing, boating, and swimming are protected and promoted.

Reduce Pollution • Protect Marine Ecosystems • Support Clean Ocean Uses

For more information on the Clean Ocean Zone, visit www.cleanoceanzone.org!

Dear Elected Officials,

I support the Clean Ocean Zone (COZ) initiative because I support the New Jersey/New York Bight being designated as the nation's first "Clean Ocean Zone;" where industrialization is locked out and clean ocean economy uses (fishing, boating, renewable energies) are supported.

The Bight is a powerhouse of economic vitality.  The largest port on the U.S. East Coast, and the third-largest port in the nation, the Port of New York and New Jersey sits at the apex of the Bight and moved over $208 billion in cargo in 2011.

New York and New Jersey’s commercial fisheries support over 80,000 jobs, and provided almost $6 Billion in sales in 2009 (for ~200 million pounds of fish landed).  Recreational fisheries brought 1.8 million anglers to the state in 2009, where those fishermen spent nearly $1.8 billion for over 10 million trips out fishing!  The Bight also provides unmatched recreation and tourism opportunities which bring billions of dollars to shore-based businesses.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bight “…has one of the highest diversities of marine mammals and sea turtles reported anywhere in the US and supports many threatened and endangered species…” This biodiversity – 25 species of marine mammals 5 species of sea turtles -  includes several endangered and threatened species such as the North Atlantic Right Whale and Green Sea Turtles.

On top of these species of concern, the Bight is home to over 300 species of fish and nearly 350 species of birds.  The coastal wetlands and shoreline habitats from Cape May to Montauk are attractive a stopover points countless species of migratory fish and birds.

To protect the people, marine biodiversity and coastal economies of the New York/New Jersey Bight, I support clean ocean economies and the Clean Ocean Zone bill.

Sincerely,