Lesson 22: Marine Policy

The health of our ocean We’ve learned about the many resources and services marine ecosystems provide Both natural and human factors can affect the health of these ecosystems In today’s lesson we’ll learn about the challenges marine ecosystems face and how marine policy can address these challenges 2

What are some of the major challenges facing marine ecosystems? Water pollution Habitat loss and degradation Overfishing Climate change 3

Water pollution Two major pollution types: – Point sources: From an identifiable “point” such as a factory – Nonpoint sources: Not from a single “point”; Carried to water by runoff from various sources Sources of marine pollution: – Runoff, sewage treatment plants, factories, oil spills, accidents, ocean dumping, offshore drilling, airborne emissions – Example: Deepwater Horizon Drilling Rig Explosion (2010) – Can you think of others? Some effects of pollution: – Seafood and water contamination, loss of marine organisms, beach closures, economic losses, eutrophication 4

Meeting the policy challenges: pollution Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1972) – Regulates pollutant discharges into U.S. waters Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972) – Regulates ocean dumping and transport of waste – Also provides for the designation and protection of areas designated as marine sanctuaries Oil Pollution Act (1990) – Provides federal guidance for preventing, responding to, and defining liability for oil pollution incidents (e.g., spills) in U.S. waters. Coastal Zone Management Act (1972) – Provides for management of non-point source pollution 5

Habitat loss and degradation Marine life requires habitat for survival and growth Habitat loss may impact species dependent upon these areas Sources of habitat destruction include natural and human factors Examples – Coastal development that results in wetlands loss – Hurricanes may damage barrier islands and seagrass beds – Dams may block salmon from reaching freshwater habitats Photo: NOAA Mangroves, vital nursery habitat for many tropical species, used to cover around 60-75% of the earth’s tropical coastline. By 2010, about 50% of mangroves had been destroyed. 6

Meeting the policy challenges: habitat National Environmental Policy Act (1969) – Requires agencies to consider impacts to environment for proposed actions Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act – Sustainable Fishery Act Amendments (1996) – Provides for the sustainable management of U.S. fisheries and the conservation and protection of Essential Fish Habitats. Coral Reef Protection Executive Order (1998) – Provides for the protection, research, monitoring and conservation of coral reefs Marine Protected Areas Executive Order (2000): – Provides for the establishment and protection of marine areas that have special preservation needs: about 5,000 worldwide in

Overfishing Commercial fisheries provide food and revenue for the United States Overfishing can decrease fish stocks, cause effects throughout the food web, and impact the economy Examples of overfished species (Sept., 2010): – Western Atlantic bluefin tuna – Atlantic cod in Georges Bank Goal of fisheries management: Maximum Sustainable Yield – the greatest number of fish that can be caught each year without impacting the long-term productivity of the stock Additional challenge: Managing bycatch, the unintentional catch of non-target organisms like sea turtles, marine mammals Fisherman harvesting Atlantic surf clams Photo: NOAA 8

Meeting the policy challenges: fisheries The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is the primary law governing fisheries management in United States federal waters – First enacted in 1976 to help regulate foreign fishing in US waters – Created 8 regional fishery management councils to help manage the nation’s fisheries – 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act amendments most notably added measures to protect Essential Fish Habitat – The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA) amended MSA and mandates new measures to help prevent and end overfishing. 9

Climate Changes in climate can impact marine ecosystems Sea level rise: ocean warming, loss of land-based ice (e.g., glaciers) are causing sea levels to rise – Possible Impacts: Wetland loss, erosion of coastal habitats, habitat loss to marine species Ocean acidification: ocean is absorbing increasing CO 2 from atmosphere, resulting in a lowering of seawater pH – Possible Impacts: Decrease in available carbonate, may affect marine life that use carbonate to build shells and other structures like shellfish, coral, and calcifying plankton. 10

Some marine organisms that require calcium carbonate to build shells or other structures Elkhorn coral colony Florida Keys Deep sea clam Blake ridge, Atlantic ocean Foraminiferan (zooplankton) Venezuela Spiny oyster North Carolina, outer shelf Photos: NOAA 11

Meeting the policy challenges: climate Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act (2009) – Provides for ocean acidification research and monitoring Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): – Established by the United Nations and World Meteorological Organization – Created to provide the world with a leading scientific group and perspective on the current state and possible impacts of climate change In 2007, this NOAA mooring was deployed to monitor ocean acidification Photo: NOAA 12

Marine mammals and other protected species Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) – prohibits the ‘taking’ of any marine mammals – which means in the U.S. it is illegal to kill, hunt, trap or harass these species – Fact: The first international agreement to address wildlife conservation involved protecting a marine mammal  the Northern fur seal Endangered Species Act (1973) – Provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened species as well as the ecosystems and habitats upon which they depend International Whaling Commission (IWC) – An intergovernmental (international) governing body charged with the conservation of whales and management of whaling 13

Establishing boundaries in the sea United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): – Agreement resulting from 3 rd United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea – Defined countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ): Extends out to 200 nautical miles from shore and provide countries with resource and exploration rights This map shows the EEZ of the US and its territories Photo: NOAA 14

Meeting the policy challenges: overall Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) – A relatively new approach to managing our marine resources that focuses on whole ecosystems rather than only individual species – Recognizes the connections between humans and the environment – Includes environmental, social and ecological goals – NOAA’s approach to EBM is adaptive (flexible to changing information and conditions) and collaborative (to involve participation from a broad range of groups and individuals with an interest in our ocean’s resources) 15

Student activity In today’s activity, you will learn more about the challenges involved in managing our marine resources 16