Marine Science in Alaska: 2005 Symposium Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere NOAA Administrator January 24, 2005

2 NOAA’s Mission To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.

3 NOAA’s Mission Goals Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem management Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond Serve society’s needs for weather and water information Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation

4 NOAA Infrastructure in Alaska Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute FAIRWEATHEROSCAR DYSON

5 DYSON Sound Profile at 11 kn, relative to ICES

6 M/V SELENDANG AYU NOAA’s efforts  Aerial observations  Mapping  Weather forecasts  Trajectory forecasts (oil)  Coordinate environmental issues  Satellite and remote sensing data Affected Fisheries and wildlife

7 Administration’s Response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy December 17, 2004 Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy U.S. Ocean Action Plan

8 Committee on Ocean Policy Will advise President and agency heads on policies concerning ocean-related matters

9 U.S. Ocean Action Plan Summarizes the Administration’s actions undertaken since the Commission’s report was drafted Identifies additional near-term actions that provide direction for ocean policy Outlines comprehensive, long-term actions for the future Improves governance between Federal, state, local and tribal authorities

10 Ecosystem 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:  Adaptive  Regionally directed  Takes account of ecosystem knowledge  Takes account of uncertainty  Considers multiple external influences  Strives to balance diverse societal objectives

11 CA/OR Drift Gillnet Fishery Leatherback Closed Area  Annually August - November Loggerhead Closed Area  June-August during El Niño years

12 North Pacific Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP) Climate change is affecting pollock distribution, recruitment & harvests Those changes affect costs of fishing operations New predators introduced Seal & walrus habitat lost Whale feeding grounds move

13 Moorings NPCREP and Observations Biophysical monitoring network provides assessments and predictions: Qualitative – provides general conclusions about the status and trends of the ecosystem Quantitative – provides specific conclusions on status and trends of populations These decision support tools used by North Pacific FMC

14 Source: Gulf of Alaska Environmental Monitoring System

15 Indian Ocean Tsunami World- Wide Effects

16 U.S. Plan For An Improved Tsunami Monitoring System $37.5M over next 2 years Enable enhanced monitoring, detection, warning & communications throughout 32 advanced technology DART buoys Nearly 100% coverage for U.S. coastal tsunami Expanded monitoring capability throughout Pacific & Caribbean basins Part of future global observation & global tsunami warning systems