Proper stewardship of the ocean is critical to the long-term viability of the United States. Understanding society's impact on the ocean and the ocean's impact on society forms the basis for ensuring a clean, healthy and stable ocean environment that can be responsibly used and enjoyed for generations to come. This book focuses on ocean forecasting, scientific support for ecosystem-based management and ocean-observing capabilities, along with a comprehensive community effort to define ocean research priorities for the U.S. in the next decade.