State Directors Meeting

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and AtmosphereNOAA Administrator

April 13, 2005

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OutlineOutline

U.S. Ocean Action Plan update

Ecosystem approach to management

Observations

Fisheries management

NOAA and the States

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U.S. Ocean Action Plan UpdateU.S. Ocean Action Plan Update

December 17, 2004

Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy

U.S. Ocean Action Plan

High level attention http://ocean.ceq.gov

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Ecosystem DefinitionsEcosystem Definitions

An ecosystem is a geographically specified system of organisms (including humans), the environment, and the processes that control its dynamics

Ecosystem approach to management:J Adaptive

J Regionally directed

J Takes account of ecosystem knowledge

J Takes account of uncertainty

J Considers multiple external influences

J Strives to balance diverse societal objectives

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North Pacific Climate Regimes & Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP)

North Pacific Climate Regimes & Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP)

Climate change is affecting species distribution, recruitment, harvests and trophic interactions

Supported by a biophysical monitoring network

Provides managers with qualitative and quantitative assessments and predictions

J Qualitative – provides general conclusions about the status and trends of the ecosystem

J Quantitative – provides specific conclusions on status and trends of populations

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Earth Observations & FisheriesEarth Observations & Fisheries

Commercial & recreational catch statistics

Stock assessments

Observer program

Standardized sampling gear

Oceanographic & lower trophic level data

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Federal Fisheries ManagementFederal Fisheries Management

Northwest

Southwest

Alaska

Northeast

Southeast

Pacific

PFMCCA, OR, WAPFMCCA, OR, WA

PSMFCAK, CA, ID, OR, WAPSMFCAK, CA, ID, OR, WA

NPFMCAKNPFMCAK

WPFMCAm Samoa, Guam, HI, CNMIWPFMCAm Samoa, Guam, HI, CNMI

GSMFCAL, FL, LA, MS, TXGSMFCAL, FL, LA, MS, TX

GMFMCAL, LA, MS, TX, FLGMFMCAL, LA, MS, TX, FL

CFMCPR, USVICFMCPR, USVI

SAFMCE. FL, GA, NC, SCSAFMCE. FL, GA, NC, SC

MAFMCDE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA

MAFMCDE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA

NEFMCCT, MA, ME, NH, RI

NEFMCCT, MA, ME, NH, RI

ASMFCCT, DE, GA, MA, MD, ME,NC, NH, NJNY, PA, SC, RI, VA , FL

ASMFCCT, DE, GA, MA, MD, ME,NC, NH, NJNY, PA, SC, RI, VA , FL

= Fishery Management Council= Marine Fishery Commission

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Large Marine EcosystemsLarge Marine Ecosystems

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Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP)

Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP)

Regional effort that moves beyond tradition of individual federal and state responsibilities

13 states, NOAA, DOI, 2 commissions, 2 councils

Six issue areas: J public useJ fishery mitigationJ imperiled fish and aquatic species recoveryJ interjurisdictional fisheriesJ aquatic habitat conservationJ aquatic nuisance species

Aquatic Nuisance Species plans and Aquatic Habitat Plan being developed

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Recreational LicensesRecreational Licenses

U.S. Ocean Action Plan:J make data collection from licenses compatible across U.S.

J create draft proposal for completing existing network or propose alternatives

States have extensive experience

NOAA and States must work together on challenges

Licenses will enhance data and improve management

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Recreational Fisheries Strategic PlanRecreational Fisheries Strategic Plan

February 17, 2005

Defines a vision for the future of recreational fisheries

Opportunity for States and NOAA to work together

J New management techniques

J Two consultations per year on data

J Data: computerized & comparable

J Coordinate joint research projects

J Regional implementation teams

J Enforcement

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/recfsh/strategy.htm

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EnforcementEnforcement

Cooperative Enforcement Program increases federal patrols and strengthens state resources

Joint Enforcement Agreements with 25 statesJ .25 M hours of federal patrols conducted by states

J States received over $36 million for patrols, infrastructure, and conservation mission

Partnership allows for coordination, communication and protection of living marine resources

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Magnuson-Stevens ActMagnuson-Stevens Act

Current system generally works well

Reauthorization

Improvements in some areasJ Ecosystem management

J Council representation

J Reducing overcapacity

J IFQs and dedicated access privileges

J Improved regional fisheries management

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AquacultureAquaculture

Opportunities: satisfy rising demand for seafood, reduce trade deficit, enhance food security, replenish depleted species, provide coastal jobs

Challenges: divergent views, balancing multiple uses, lack of regulatory framework

President to propose offshore aquaculture legislationJ Grants authority to issue offshore aquaculture permits

J Provides environmental and other safeguards

J Supports development of offshore aquaculture

Agency will consult with states before issuing permits

Regulatory process will include ample opportunity for participation

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Other NOAA ServicesOther NOAA Services

NOAA’s Ocean ServiceJ Coastal Zone ManagementJ Marine NavigationJ Tides and currentsJ Spill responseJ Harmful algal blooms

NOAA’s National Weather ServiceJ Predictions/forecasts: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods

NOAA ResearchJ Sea Grant partnerships

NOAA Satellites and Information ServiceJ SARSATJ Observations

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Wrap UpWrap Up

U.S. Ocean Action Plan—take advantage of high level attention

Ecosystem approach to management—evolutionary and incremental

Observations—science based fisheries management

Fisheries management—State-Federal partnerships important to success

Questions?