Bringing science to bear on coastal decision-making
Waves of Change September 4, 2003
David KeeleyMaine State Planning Office
Issue: Society is expecting informed and science-based decision-making
Population pressures cause us to live closer together;
Resources are more finite; Decision-making needs to be more
precise
Today’s Themes
Coastal Management Vignettes Science to Management Needs New Tools for the Coastal Ocean
Part 1 - Coastal Management Vignettes: Bringing science to bear
Coastal Dredging – regional & local Public Access to the Shoreline Marine Protected Areas Working Waterfronts Commercial Fisheries Coastal Water Quality & Shellfish
Coastal Dredging – regional ports
National security, jobs & economic development
Channel maintenance
Side-scan sonar, shoals, buoys & redeployment
Coastal Dredging – local ports
Dredging tidal inlets (e.g., sand budgets, marshes and the sand on adjacent beaches. Beach nourishment/use of dredged materials
Long-term impacts to beaches and dunes from repeated maintenance dredging.
Access to the Shoreline
Changing land ownership patterns
Socio-economic research (e.g. user surveys, willingness to pay)
Environmental research (carrying capacity)
Marine Protected Areas
Effect of dragging on the ocean floor and species
5-year moratorium & call for science and traditional knowledge
Report to Legislature
Working Waterfronts
Public & private access for commercial fishing is diminishing & calls for action
Socio-economic research to preserve working waterfront property
Commercial Fisheries
Available species data & information impedes sound decision-making
Inshore trawl survey & emerging fisheries research
Coastal Water Quality & Shellfish
Bacteria levels exceed standards
Identify specific sources (humans, wildlife, etc.)
Targeted management responses (efficiency, priority)
Part Two: Science to management needs
Improved dissemination of existing knowledge and research;
Research on priority coastal & ocean management issues;
Translation of scientific results into information managers can use;
Building the capacity of local, state and federal managers to manage
Disseminating science
We are not fully capitalizing on previous investments in coastal and marine science
Work with funders, libraries and others to harness the information age
Investing in new research
Local, state and federal coastal managers need to better articulate their leading management issues and corresponding research needs
Sponsors of research (State and federal agencies, industry, foundations) need to integrate these needs into their funding programs
Turning data into information
Managers and scientists need to work collaboratively to synthesize data into information & create products of value to managers and decision-makers
Building capacity (teaching them to fish vs. fishing for them)
Local and state managers need to routinely invest in themselves
Existing mechanisms need to be reinforced
National estuary, coastal, ocean programs need to place a premium on capacity building
Part Three: Investing in new tools for coastal ocean management
National effort to strengthen the monitoring of coastal ocean trends and conditions
Ocean Commission priority on more informed decision-making & making the required investment
Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) -- as an example
Coastal Ocean Observing
Purpose -- Facilitate safe and efficient marine operations, ensure national security, ensure sustainable food supply, manage ecosystems, mitigate natural hazards, and protect public health.
Critical Elements
Buoys & other sensors in the water
Land-based radar Satellites Modeling Ships of opportunity
Analysis, synthesis, & products
Why make this investment?
To provide data and information that serve public and private sector needs to: Solve practical problems, Predict events, Increase public awareness, Further understand natural systems
A Coastal Oceanic Analog of……the National Weather Service
User Needs & Payback
Mariners – safety, rescue Shipping – safety & efficiency Mammals – endangered species assessment Aquaculture – site selection & water quality Lobster fishing – recruitment prediction Petroleum Industry – spill response Shellfishing – spat collection, site selection Military – national security, operations test bed Coastal Management – eutrophication Commercial & Sport Fishing – stock assessments Research – long-term observations, infrastructure
Ocean Observing Summary
It will inspire and facilitate research Users will justify the investment Users need a 24/7 operational system
that provides useful, timely information…and drives research
GoMOOS cost/benefit: $(3/30)M/year A national OOS will only come to pass if
Congress hears the same request from all regions!