Briefing to the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council April 23, 2014

Blueprint Guiding Principles Prioritize resources and activities across NOAA to improve habitat conditions Make decisions in an ecosystem context and consider competing priorities Leverage partnerships Improve delivery of habitat science to facilitate decision making

Four Key Approaches 1. Implement short-term regional habitat initiatives 2. Establish longer-term geographic Habitat Focus Areas 3. Implement a systematic and strategic approach to habitat science 4. Strengthen policy and legislation

H ABITAT F OCUS A REAS Implementation planning and execution started in Russian River Watershed NOAA Regional Collaboration Framework Selection expected in May Two HFAs selected; beginning implementation planning Northwest: building on existing Puget Sound Initiative Discussions ongoing to decide whether to move forward in FY14 Beginning scoping process; selection expected mid/late summer Two HFAs selected in February; rollout planned for end of April

Examples of Habitat Focus Area Objectives Russian River Habitat Focus Area Rebuild endangered coho and threatened Chinook and steelhead stocks to sustainable levels through habitat protection and restoration. Improve frost, rainfall, and river forecasts in the Russian River watershed through improved data collection and modeling. Increase community and ecosystem resiliency to flooding and drought through improved planning and water management strategies. West Hawai’i Habitat Focus Area Prevent and reduce discharge of land-based pollutants, such as sediment and nutrients, to coral reef ecosystems. Identify and implement management actions to increase coral reef health and resilience and mitigate localized climate change effects to coastal communities, coral reefs, and marine resources. Build community and local capacity to manage coral reefs and coastal and marine resources. Muskegon Lake Habitat Focus Area NOAA will make contributions to the measurable improvement of beneficial use impairments (BUI) as specified in the area’s Remedial Action Plan: a. loss of fish and wildlife habitat b. degradation of fish and wildlife populations c. degradation of benthos 2. NOAA will take a coordinated, cross-line office approach to the implementation of projects and the demonstration of impacts in the following areas: a. climate coastal resiliency b. technical support to implement priority actions identified by the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership. c. resilient coastal communities d. increased coastal tourism, access and recreation e. socio-economic research

Selecting Habitat Focus Areas Team of NOAA scientists and managers from across NOAA’s line offices. Focus Area Selection Team (FAST) Oceans and Atmospheric Research – Atlantic Oceanographic and Mete0rological Laboratory, Ocean Acidification, Sea Grant National Ocean Service – Marine Sanctuaries, Coral Program, NCCOS, CSC/OCRM National Weather Service NOAA Fisheries – Southeast Regional Office and Science Center, Restoration Center

Southeast and Caribbean Decision Criteria Advancing Blueprint outcomes (Fish populations, T&E species, protected areas, resilient communities, increased recreation) Demonstrate long-term impacts Feasibility of progress in 3-5 years Cross-NOAA collaboration External partnerships Improves scientific understanding Leverage or capitalize on resources and investments Consistent with regional initiatives * Transferability to other regions/ parts of country * Benefit to local economies and communities * Build off of existing activities, relationships

Timeline January: Form a Focus Area Selection Team February: Finalize decision criteria March – April: Design a stakeholder strategy May: NOAA line offices identify candidate Focus Areas June: Narrow list of potential candidate Focus Areas July: Conduct Focus Area Selection workshop Aug: Finalize and announce selected Areas September to October: Start implementation planning

Key Entry Points for Stakeholder Engagement April: Learn about selection process, provide CFMC habitat priorities, make suggestions for Candidate Habitat Focus Areas Summer 2014: Comment on Candidate Habitat Focus Areas (via formal web survey) Fall 2014: Partner during implementation planning

Follow Up With Co-Chairs: Howard Schnabolk, NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center George Sedberry, NOAA, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuaries