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About Oceans North U.S.

The Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Arctic Program, also known as Oceans North U.S., works to conserve the robust 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’s 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 Environment Group

The Pew Environment Group (PEG) is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts. PEG addresses environmental issues around the globe with major emphases on climate change, protecting life in the sea, and preserving wilderness and habitat. Projects, many of them conducted in partnership with other organizations, are located in Canada, the United States, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, and several potential marine sanctuaries in the Pacific Ocean. PEG uses applied science, public education and media to advance sound environmental policy. Over the past two decades, PEG’s activities have grown steadily, and the staff today number more than 130.
 
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.