State Directors Meeting Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA Administrator April 13, 2005

NOAA: State Directors Meeting2 Outline U.S. Ocean Action Plan update Ecosystem approach to management Observations Fisheries management NOAA and the States

NOAA: State Directors Meeting3 U.S. Ocean Action Plan Update December 17, 2004 Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy U.S. Ocean Action Plan High level attention

NOAA: State Directors Meeting4 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: J Adaptive J Regionally directed J Takes account of ecosystem knowledge J Takes account of uncertainty J Considers multiple external influences J Strives to balance diverse societal objectives

NOAA: State Directors Meeting5 North Pacific Climate Regimes & Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP) Climate change is affecting species distribution, recruitment, harvests and trophic interactions Supported by a biophysical monitoring network Provides 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 Meeting6 Earth Observations & Fisheries Commercial & recreational catch statistics Stock assessments Observer program Standardized sampling gear Oceanographic & lower trophic level data

NOAA: State Directors Meeting7 Federal Fisheries Management Northwest Southwest Alaska Northeast Southeast Pacific PFMC CA, OR, WA PFMC CA, OR, WA PSMFC AK, CA, ID, OR, WA PSMFC AK, CA, ID, OR, WA NPFMC AK NPFMC AK WPFMC Am Samoa, Guam, HI, CNMI WPFMC Am Samoa, Guam, HI, CNMI GSMFC AL, FL, LA, MS, TX GSMFC AL, FL, LA, MS, TX GMFMC AL, LA, MS, TX, FL GMFMC AL, LA, MS, TX, FL CFMC PR, USVI CFMC PR, USVI SAFMC E. FL, GA, NC, SC SAFMC E. FL, GA, NC, SC MAFMC DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA MAFMC DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA NEFMC CT, MA, ME, NH, RI NEFMC CT, MA, ME, NH, RI ASMFC CT, DE, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ NY, PA, SC, RI, VA, FL ASMFC CT, DE, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ NY, PA, SC, RI, VA, FL = Fishery Management Council = Marine Fishery Commission

NOAA: State Directors Meeting8 Large Marine Ecosystems

NOAA: State Directors Meeting9 Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) Regional effort that moves beyond tradition of individual federal and state responsibilities 13 states, NOAA, DOI, 2 commissions, 2 councils Six issue areas: J public use J fishery mitigation J imperiled fish and aquatic species recovery J interjurisdictional fisheries J aquatic habitat conservation J aquatic nuisance species Aquatic Nuisance Species plans and Aquatic Habitat Plan being developed

NOAA: State Directors Meeting10 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 experience NOAA and States must work together on challenges Licenses will enhance data and improve management

NOAA: State Directors Meeting11 Recreational Fisheries Strategic Plan February 17, 2005 Defines a vision for the future of recreational fisheries Opportunity for States and NOAA to work together J New management techniques J Two consultations per year on data J Data: computerized & comparable J Coordinate joint research projects J Regional implementation teams J Enforcement

NOAA: State Directors Meeting12 Enforcement Cooperative Enforcement Program increases federal patrols and strengthens state resources Joint 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 Meeting13 Magnuson-Stevens Act Current system generally works well Reauthorization Improvements in some areas J Ecosystem management J Council representation J Reducing overcapacity J IFQs and dedicated access privileges J Improved regional fisheries management

NOAA: State Directors Meeting14 Aquaculture Opportunities: satisfy rising demand for seafood, reduce trade deficit, enhance food security, replenish depleted species, provide coastal jobs Challenges: divergent views, balancing multiple uses, lack of regulatory framework President to propose offshore aquaculture legislation J Grants authority to issue offshore aquaculture permits J Provides environmental and other safeguards J Supports development of offshore aquaculture Agency will consult with states before issuing permits Regulatory process will include ample opportunity for participation

NOAA: State Directors Meeting15 Other NOAA Services NOAA’s Ocean Service J Coastal Zone Management J Marine Navigation J Tides and currents J Spill response J Harmful algal blooms NOAA’s National Weather Service J Predictions/forecasts: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods NOAA Research J Sea Grant partnerships NOAA Satellites and Information Service J SARSAT J Observations

NOAA: State Directors Meeting16 Wrap Up U.S. Ocean Action Plan—take advantage of high level attention Ecosystem approach to management—evolutionary and incremental Observations—science based fisheries management Fisheries management—State-Federal partnerships important to success

Questions?