Mandated by the Oceans Act of 2000, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy was established to make recommendations as basic guidelines concerning future policies to the President for an ocean policy for the 21st century in the United States. The Commission is continuing its deliberative phase. If the Commission finishes its work on schedule, its final recommendations will be delivered in March, 2003 and the President will formulate and present to Congress a national ocean policy within 120 days after receipt.