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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 2

Outline

U.S. Ocean Action Plan updateEcosystem approach to management Observations Fisheries managementNOAA and the States

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 3

U.S. Ocean Action Plan Update

December 17, 2004Executive Order: Committee on Ocean PolicyU.S. Ocean Action PlanHigh level attention http://ocean.ceq.gov

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 4

Ecosystem Definitions

An ecosystem is a geographically specified system of organisms (including humans), the environment, and the processes that control its dynamicsEcosystem approach to management:

J AdaptiveJ Regionally directedJ Takes account of ecosystem knowledgeJ Takes account of uncertaintyJ Considers multiple external influencesJ Strives to balance diverse societal objectives

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 5

North Pacific Climate Regimes & Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP)

Climate change is affecting species distribution, recruitment, harvests and trophic interactionsSupported by a biophysical monitoring networkProvides 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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 6

Earth Observations & Fisheries

Commercial & recreational catch statisticsStock assessmentsObserver programStandardized sampling gearOceanographic & lower trophic level data

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 7

Federal Fisheries Management

NorthwestSouthwestAlaskaNortheastSoutheastPacific

PFMCCA, OR, WA

PSMFCAK, CA, ID, OR, WA

NPFMCAK

WPFMCAm Samoa, Guam, HI, CNMI

GSMFCAL, FL, LA, MS, TX

GMFMCAL, LA, MS, TX, FL

CFMCPR, USVI

SAFMCE. FL, GA, NC, SC

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

NEFMCCT, MA, ME, NH, RI

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

= Fishery Management Council= Marine Fishery Commission

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 8

Large Marine Ecosystems

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 9

Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP)

Regional effort that moves beyond tradition of individual federal and state responsibilities13 states, NOAA, DOI, 2 commissions, 2 councilsSix 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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 10

Recreational 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 experienceNOAA and States must work together on challengesLicenses will enhance data and improve management

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 11

Recreational Fisheries Strategic Plan

February 17, 2005Defines a vision for the future of recreational fisheriesOpportunity for States and NOAA to work together

J New management techniquesJ Two consultations per year on dataJ Data: computerized & comparableJ Coordinate joint research projectsJ Regional implementation teamsJ Enforcement

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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 12

Enforcement

Cooperative Enforcement Program increases federal patrols and strengthens state resourcesJoint Enforcement Agreements with 25 states

J .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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 13

Magnuson-Stevens Act

Current system generally works wellReauthorizationImprovements in some areas

J Ecosystem managementJ Council representationJ Reducing overcapacityJ IFQs and dedicated access privilegesJ Improved regional fisheries management

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 14

Aquaculture

Opportunities: satisfy rising demand for seafood, reduce trade deficit, enhance food security, replenish depleted species, provide coastal jobsChallenges: divergent views, balancing multiple uses, lack of regulatory framework President to propose offshore aquaculture legislation

J Grants authority to issue offshore aquaculture permitsJ Provides environmental and other safeguardsJ Supports development of offshore aquaculture

Agency will consult with states before issuing permitsRegulatory process will include ample opportunity for participation

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 15

Other 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

NOAA: State Directors Meeting 16

Wrap Up

U.S. Ocean Action Plan—take advantage of high level attentionEcosystem approach to management—evolutionary and incrementalObservations—science based fisheries managementFisheries management—State-Federal partnerships important to success

Questions?