Washington (CNN) -- The Obama administration announced new measures to combat black-market fishing and protect ocean ecosystems on Tuesday, as scientists, diplomats, policymakers, and heads of state concluded a conference dedicated to ocean preservation. In a recorded statement kicking off the second day of the Our Ocean conference, the President cited recent efforts by his administration to limit carbon output from power plants as a first step toward promoting ocean health. "Today," he said, "I'm building on that promise by directing the federal government create a national strategy to combat black-market fishing that threatens our oceans, undermines our economy and often supports dangerous criminals."
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Obama calls for strategy to combat black-market fishing
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He says he'll protect "our most precious marine landscapes"
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Our Ocean international conference is hosted by State Department
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Leonardo DiCaprio pledges additional $7 million to ocean preservation
@placeholder added, "I stand here today to challenge all of you to step up, to utilize your positions of authority to ensure the health of the oceans that are so vital to people's lives all around the world."