Located in Los Angeles, California, the American Oceans Campaign (AOC) was founded in 1987 as a political interest group dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. More national and conservationist (rather than international and preservationist) in its focus than other groups with similar concerns, the AOC tends to view the oceans as a valuable resource whose use should be managed carefully. As current president Ted Danson puts it, the oceans must be regarded as far more than a natural preserve by environmentalists; rather, healthy oceans "sustain biological diversity, provide us with leisure and recreation, and contribute significantly to our nation's GNP."

The AOC's main political efforts reflect this focus. Central to the AOC's lobbying strategy is a desire to build cooperative relations and consensus among the general public, public interest groups...