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About Oceans North U.S.

The Pew Charitable Trusts' U.S. Arctic Program, also known as Oceans North U.S., works to conserve the unique ecosystems and vibrant Native communities that depend on North America’s Arctic waters. In Alaska, these include the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering seas. The region supports some of the world's last intact marine ecosystems, and its well-being is threatened by climate change, loss of sea ice, and rapid development.

Oceans North U.S. works closely with Alaska Natives, scientists, local governments and conservation groups to achieve key policy goals for conservation of the Arctic ecosystem. Combining science, traditional knowledge, outreach and media, Oceans North U.S. works to develop sound policies for four immediate goals:
  • To develop a sound scientific basis for managing Arctic fisheries before opening the Chukchi and Beaufort seas to commercial fishing.
  • To defer offshore oil and gas activity in U.S. Arctic waters until a precautionary, science-based plan is developed that reflects the concerns and needs of the region’s indigenous communities.
  • To provide permanent protection for Bristol Bay from offshore oil and gas activity.
  • To examine the potential impacts of increased commercial vessel traffic in the region before opening it to transcontinental vessels.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Environmental Initiatives

The aim of Pew’s environmental initiatives is to strengthen policies and practices in ways that produce significant and measurable protection for terrestrial and marine systems worldwide.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts
 
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a nonpartisan, nonprofit charity that addresses the world’s most difficult problems through highly disciplined, often scientific, analysis. Its programs concentrate on three areas: improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life. The Trusts, established in 1948, is the sole beneficiary of seven charitable funds established by four children of Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.