“Opportunity Streams” The Strategic Positioning of Washington’s Coastal Communities Ocean Policy Working Group Olympia, Washington June 9, 2006 Kevin Ranker, San Juan County Council

We love the edge Population on the coast Population on the coast The Crowded Coast: Population Trends, On this water planet we love the edge “75% of Americans will live within 80 miles of the coast by 2025” Source: US Oceans Commission, 2005

The Ocean Commissions

Baja to Bering, Coastal Society, the Puget Sound Initiative and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan

So… what are the common themes? Coast and Ocean in Crisis… “The oceans and coasts are in trouble and we must change the way we manage them…” - USCOP “The oceans and coasts are in trouble and we must change the way we manage them…” - USCOP “…as much as we love our oceans - our ignorance has been destroying them.” - Pew Oceans Commission “…as much as we love our oceans - our ignorance has been destroying them.” - Pew Oceans Commission

So… what are the common themes? All of these reports, initiatives and organizations have recognized the importance of – conserving areas of high biodiversity – reducing human induced threats – applying a more practical approach known as ecosystem-based management – sustainable economic development

So… why should we care? Little progress at national and regional level… focus has shifted to state and local opportunities – Tens of millions of federal and private dollars invested in USCOP, Pew, salmon recovery efforts and marine priority areas work – “U.S. Gets a D+ on Ocean Policy Reform” – Joint Oceans Commission – There is a very real need to demonstrate successes

The real work will happen at the local and state-based level Market-based approach for diversifying and strengthening our local economies (Marine-based Manufacturing, Marine Trades, Seafood industry, Technology, Research and Education) Market-based approach for diversifying and strengthening our local economies (Marine-based Manufacturing, Marine Trades, Seafood industry, Technology, Research and Education) Provide logistical and financial support for local, state and tribal management – linking our work to recommendations (CAO, SMP, HPA, Spills, etc.) Provide logistical and financial support for local, state and tribal management – linking our work to recommendations (CAO, SMP, HPA, Spills, etc.) Because of the reports and initiatives there is momentum that could be acted upon Because of the reports and initiatives there is momentum that could be acted upon

The nation’s largest philanthropic organizations are looking for a return on their investment Competition: Central California, Oregon, Gulf of Maine, Chesapeake Bay,Puerto Rico Competition: Central California, Oregon, Gulf of Maine, Chesapeake Bay, Puerto Rico

Funding - private Private Funding for Marine Initiatives Private Funding for Marine Initiatives – Moore Foundation - $33 million annually* – Packard Foundation – $14 Million Annually – Pew Charitable Trusts – $10.5 Million Annually – Rockefeller, Homeland, Surdna, Sloan, Bullitt, Ford, Ocean Foundation, etc. – $3 Million Annually (Approximately) Total Annual: $60.5 Million

Funding - federal Federal Funding for Oceans: Federal Funding for Oceans: – NOAA – National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – EPA – Congressional Appropriation – ESA Salmon, Orca, etc – ?

Does Washington State have a Competitive Advantage? Ocean Ethic Ocean Ethic – Our coastline is charismatic and accessible – Local interaction with our coast & oceans (as coastal population grows, so does personal connection) – Local economy based on healthy ocean systems – Political Cover Research Research – UW, UC Davis, PSAT, COMPASS, PISCO, OCNMS, etc. Ecosystem-based management Ecosystem-based management – National models of EBM (MSA) – Land/sea connections (forage fish/salmon, “sand shed” management – SW coastal erosion study) – Community-based management (MRC’s, watershed-based salmon recovery plan) Improve Ocean Literacy Improve Ocean Literacy – Education & Outreach (WSU Beach Watchers, UW k-12, NGO’s, etc.) Improved Governance Improved Governance – Puget Sound Partnership, Marine Managers Working Group (SJC), NWSC/MRC’s, Salmon Recovery Plan

Does Washington State have a Competitive Advantage? National models of ecosystem-based management National models of ecosystem-based management – EBM: an integrated approach to management that considers the entire ecosystem and requires action at several scales – national, regional, state, tribal and local. (compass, 2005)

A Competitive Advantage The region is already recognized as a marine industry cluster The region is already recognized as a marine industry cluster – Fishing Industry (4,285 commercial permits, 200,000 recreational) – Aquaculture (Washington State a leader in shell fish) – Marine Trades – Northwest Marine Technology – University of Washington – UC Davis SeaDoc Society – Marine Design – Nordic Tug – Westport – Safeboat – Clallam netWorks Marine Services Industry Cluster – Etc.

We continue to successfully position our communities as a tourist destinations Market Advantage: Wild marine environment, beautiful shorelines, rivers and estuaries

We’ve only just begun… to recognize the possibilities of our state as a regional hub for marine-based research and educational clusters

Conclusions – “More than a year after reports of U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission report card shows little limited progress” – Joint Oceans Commission, February 2006 It is absolutely critical that the recommendations and work of the Governor’s Ocean Policy Working Group and the Puget Sound Partnership turn into action It is absolutely critical that the recommendations and work of the Governor’s Ocean Policy Working Group and the Puget Sound Partnership turn into action

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, when it clearly should be named Ocean.” Arthur C. Clarke