AFFIRMATIVE CASE POSSIBILITIES Rich Edwards Baylor University National Policy Topic Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth’s oceans.

Law of the Sea Develop Energy Resources Reduce Risk of Conflict Protect Ocean Environment

Ocean Energy Global Warming Oceans Especially Threatened Ocean Renewable Energy Superior

Explore Oceans Are Vital Basic Ocean Science Needed to Save Fisheries Science Tsunami Protection

Rare Earths Vital to National Security China Has Monopoly Ocean Offers Superior Alternative

Seaports Federal Responsibility Vital to U.S. Economy Vital to Environment RAMP Act Solves

Coral Reefs Reefs Dying Now All Life in the Ocean Is at Risk Restoration Is Superior to Preservation

Aqua- Culture Reliance on Aquaculture is Inevitable Imported Aquaculture Especially Destructive Proper Regulation Solves

Over- Fishing Overfishing Is Extensive Single-Species Regulation Inherently Flawed Marine Protected Areas Provide the Solution

Whales Whales Are Threatened Seismic Airgun Blasts Harm Whales Banning Seismic Airgun Blasts Vital to Saving Whales

Invasive Species Invasive Species Threaten the Ocean Environment Current Standards Inadequate Phase 2 BWM Standard Needed

Marine Cables Internet Security Vital Marine Cables Essential to Internet Security UNCLOS necessary to Secure Marine Cables

Iron Fertilization Study Climate Change May Be Unstoppable Reasonable Measures Must Be Examined Iron Fertilization May Offer a Last-Ditch Solution

Rule of Law U.S. Unilateralism Threatens the Global Commons UNCLOS Offers a Key Test of U.S. Willingness to Support Rule of Law

Arctic Resources Arctic Resources Are Massive Arctic Resources Will be Exploited U.S. Environmental Standards Will Best Preserve the Arctic Environment

De- Salination Fresh Water Supplies Are in Seriously Short Supply Water Shortages Inevitably Cause Conflict Desalination Offers an Optimal Solution

National Ocean Policy Executive Order Is in Place But Requires Congressional Action Ecosystem-Based Management Will Replace Ineffective Single-Species Management

Save Sea Turtles Sea Turtles Are Endangered Measures Are Available to Save Sea Turtles Only a Holistic Approach Will Be Enough

Ocean Pollution Plastic Pollution Dead Zones Mercury Pollution Cruise Ship Discharge

Illegal Fishing Illegal Fishing Practices Abound U.S. imports 90% of its seafood U.S. should ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Ban Bottom Trawling Bottom trawling destroys ocean ecosystems Bottom trawling is currently allowed in most U.S. ocean waters. Banning bottom trawling will preserve ocean ecosystems.