Overview of U.S. Overview of U.S. Commission on Ocean Commission on Ocean

PolicyPolicy

Potential Changes for Potential Changes for

Federal GovernanceFederal Governance

Tony MacDonaldTony MacDonald

Coastal States OrganizationCoastal States Organization

Outline:Outline:

• National Ocean Policy FrameworkNational Ocean Policy Framework

• National Ocean Council FunctionsNational Ocean Council Functions

• Regional / Ecosystem StructuresRegional / Ecosystem Structures

• Reorganizing the Federal AgenciesReorganizing the Federal Agencies

National Ocean Policy National Ocean Policy FrameworkFramework

Immediate creation, by Executive Order or Immediate creation, by Executive Order or Congressional action, of a National Congressional action, of a National Ocean Policy Framework, composed of:Ocean Policy Framework, composed of:

• An Executive Office of Ocean PolicyAn Executive Office of Ocean Policy

• A National Ocean CouncilA National Ocean Council

• A Council of Advisors (FACA)A Council of Advisors (FACA)

National Ocean Policy National Ocean Policy Framework Options:Framework Options:

An Executive Office of Ocean PolicyAn Executive Office of Ocean Policy which would be located in the White which would be located in the White House and headed by a high-level House and headed by a high-level Assistant to the PresidentAssistant to the President

National Ocean Policy National Ocean Policy Framework Options:Framework Options:

A National Ocean CouncilA National Ocean Council (NOC) (NOC) composed of cabinet secretaries of composed of cabinet secretaries of ocean agencies and directors of ocean agencies and directors of independent ocean agencies and independent ocean agencies and chaired by the Assistant to the chaired by the Assistant to the President for Ocean PolicyPresident for Ocean Policy

National Ocean Policy National Ocean Policy Framework Options:Framework Options:

A Council of AdvisorsA Council of Advisors (a FACA advisory (a FACA advisory body) made up of coastal governors; body) made up of coastal governors; other appropriate state, local, and other appropriate state, local, and tribal government officials; and tribal government officials; and representatives from the private representatives from the private sector, NGOs, the research community, sector, NGOs, the research community, and watershed organizationsand watershed organizations

Possible NOC FunctionsPossible NOC Functions

The following are illustrative of the types of functions that The following are illustrative of the types of functions that may be considered for a National Ocean Council:may be considered for a National Ocean Council:

• Build support for passage of a National Ocean Policy Build support for passage of a National Ocean Policy ActAct

• Coordinate Federal agency activities regarding the Coordinate Federal agency activities regarding the oceans and coastsoceans and coasts

• Implement and continuously improve Commission’s Implement and continuously improve Commission’s recommendations and develop new policy as needs recommendations and develop new policy as needs arisearise

• Guide federal agency reorganization or consolidation Guide federal agency reorganization or consolidation based on Commission recommendations.based on Commission recommendations.

• Oversee national program to assess the status of Oversee national program to assess the status of ecosystems to provide critical goods and services. ecosystems to provide critical goods and services.

Possible NOC FunctionsPossible NOC Functions

• Periodically report on the state of the nation’s Periodically report on the state of the nation’s oceans and coasts and their uses and progress in oceans and coasts and their uses and progress in the implementation of national ocean policy. the implementation of national ocean policy.

• Develop and implement a national ocean research Develop and implement a national ocean research plan with input from researchers and policy makers plan with input from researchers and policy makers through an advisory committee on ocean research. through an advisory committee on ocean research.

• Develop and implement a national ocean data and Develop and implement a national ocean data and information management system. information management system.

• Create and oversee the work of task groups Create and oversee the work of task groups formed to address specific ocean and coastal formed to address specific ocean and coastal problems requiring concerted, high-level attention. problems requiring concerted, high-level attention.

• Assist in development of the initiatives to enhance Assist in development of the initiatives to enhance the coastal zone management program.the coastal zone management program.

• Provide leadership in international marine affairs.Provide leadership in international marine affairs.

Possible NOC FunctionsPossible NOC Functions• Consider development of Regional Ocean Councils Consider development of Regional Ocean Councils

(ROCs) as effective means to address the goal of an (ROCs) as effective means to address the goal of an ecosystem-based approach to ocean resource ecosystem-based approach to ocean resource management. management.

• ROCs might address issues such as state/regional ROCs might address issues such as state/regional coordination, pollution reduction, economic coordination, pollution reduction, economic development, research priorities, preparation of development, research priorities, preparation of regional ecosystem management plans and regional ecosystem management plans and implementation of national goals.implementation of national goals.

• If implemented, ROCs would be developed with If implemented, ROCs would be developed with substantial participation by state, territorial, local, substantial participation by state, territorial, local, tribal and other interested entities (e.g. non-tribal and other interested entities (e.g. non-governmental and business organizations).governmental and business organizations).

• The Commission does not envision that Regional The Commission does not envision that Regional Ocean Councils would supplant existing legal Ocean Councils would supplant existing legal authorities, such as those of Regional Fishery authorities, such as those of Regional Fishery Management Councils or elements of state and local Management Councils or elements of state and local governments.governments.

Options to Implement a Options to Implement a Regional Ecosystem Regional Ecosystem Framework: Framework: • Delineated on the ocean sides by the Delineated on the ocean sides by the

boundaries of the current Regional Fishery boundaries of the current Regional Fishery Management CouncilsManagement Councils

• Delineated on the land side by boundaries of Delineated on the land side by boundaries of the large watersheds that drain into the the large watersheds that drain into the marine waters under the jurisdiction of each marine waters under the jurisdiction of each RFMCRFMC

• A new Great Lakes eco-region would be A new Great Lakes eco-region would be createdcreated

• Federal agencies should align their Federal agencies should align their administrative regions by common eco-administrative regions by common eco-regional boundaries.regional boundaries.

Possible Eco-Region Possible Eco-Region BoundariesBoundaries

Reorganizing the Reorganizing the Federal Federal AgenciesAgencies

• The Commission believes that some The Commission believes that some consolidation/ reorganization at the consolidation/ reorganization at the Federal level is warranted.Federal level is warranted.

• The Commission is considering numerous The Commission is considering numerous proposals that have been presented by proposals that have been presented by Commissioners and in testimony Commissioners and in testimony

• The Commission believes it will be an The Commission believes it will be an ongoing function of the NOC to look for ongoing function of the NOC to look for continuing consolidation opportunities of continuing consolidation opportunities of federal agencies.federal agencies.

Reorganizing the Federal AgenciesReorganizing the Federal Agencies

• The Commission and the NOC should consider the The Commission and the NOC should consider the need to: need to:

– Consolidate functions not just structures Consolidate functions not just structures – Bring together pieces of a common problemBring together pieces of a common problem– Look for leverage such that the whole is greater Look for leverage such that the whole is greater

than the sum of its partsthan the sum of its parts– Achieve efficiency in operations and Achieve efficiency in operations and

management management – Link the systems related to atmosphere, earth Link the systems related to atmosphere, earth

and ocean for policy and scienceand ocean for policy and science– Enhance the linkage between science and Enhance the linkage between science and

policy programspolicy programs

Reorganizing the Reorganizing the Federal Federal AgenciesAgencies

• Functions that should be considered for Functions that should be considered for consolidation:consolidation:

– Habitat protection and restorationHabitat protection and restoration– Protected species programsProtected species programs– Nonpoint source pollutionNonpoint source pollution– Fishery managementFishery management– Watershed managementWatershed management– Data management systemsData management systems– Mission-oriented researchMission-oriented research– MappingMapping– EducationEducation– International Leadership and operationsInternational Leadership and operations– EnforcementEnforcement

Other Policy Options Related to Other Policy Options Related to the Federal Government:the Federal Government:• Ocean and Coastal Observation SystemsOcean and Coastal Observation Systems• ScienceScience• BiodiversityBiodiversity• Ocean ExplorationOcean Exploration• Oceans and Human HealthOceans and Human Health• Coral ReefsCoral Reefs• Marine Protect AreasMarine Protect Areas• Marine AquacultureMarine Aquaculture• Regional Fishery Management CouncilsRegional Fishery Management Councils

Additional InformationAdditional Information

Status of Ocean Science Status of Ocean Science FundingFunding

• Thirty of 50 US states have ocean or Thirty of 50 US states have ocean or Great Lake coastlinesGreat Lake coastlines

• ~50% or more of the US population lives ~50% or more of the US population lives within the coastal zonewithin the coastal zone

• One of every 6 US jobs is marine-relatedOne of every 6 US jobs is marine-related• Yet, only ~3.5% of the Federal budget Yet, only ~3.5% of the Federal budget

for basic research is spent on ocean for basic research is spent on ocean sciences, down from 7% 20+ years ago.sciences, down from 7% 20+ years ago.

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Research Consideration: Research FundingFunding• The Administration should propose, at a The Administration should propose, at a

minimum, a doubling of the Federal ocean minimum, a doubling of the Federal ocean research budget from today’s $630M to $1.3B. research budget from today’s $630M to $1.3B.

• Federal funding for technology should be on a Federal funding for technology should be on a par with the requested increase for ocean par with the requested increase for ocean research to ensure the Nation has the research to ensure the Nation has the requisite tools – including the Integrated requisite tools – including the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing and Prediction Coastal and Ocean Observing and Prediction Systems -- to conduct a rigorous program of Systems -- to conduct a rigorous program of ocean science. ocean science.

USCOP Policy Option: Ocean & USCOP Policy Option: Ocean & Coastal Observing & Coastal Observing & Prediction SystemsPrediction Systems• Must be a “whole-earth” system; need Must be a “whole-earth” system; need

to understand ocean-atmosphere-land to understand ocean-atmosphere-land couplings (e.g., watersheds to ocean)couplings (e.g., watersheds to ocean)

• Must have strong biological Must have strong biological componentscomponents

• Must incorporate satellite observationsMust incorporate satellite observations• Must be integrated & coordinated Must be integrated & coordinated

across agencies, country and, to across agencies, country and, to degree possible, internationallydegree possible, internationally

USCOP Policy Option: Ocean & USCOP Policy Option: Ocean & Coastal Observing & Coastal Observing & Prediction SystemsPrediction Systems• Must have sustained, long-term Must have sustained, long-term

supportsupport

• Must have plan to move to Must have plan to move to operational statusoperational status

• Must address needs of multi-sector Must address needs of multi-sector users: marine operations, research, users: marine operations, research, education, monitoringeducation, monitoring

USCOP Policy Option: USCOP Policy Option: BiodiversityBiodiversity• The US Government should develop a The US Government should develop a

comprehensive program to study marine comprehensive program to study marine biodiversity at genetic, species and biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem scalesecosystem scales

• Beyond mere enumeration, the program Beyond mere enumeration, the program should explore the range of causes for should explore the range of causes for declining biodiversity and potential solutionsdeclining biodiversity and potential solutions

• Conservation of biodiversity should be a Conservation of biodiversity should be a specific consideration of any ecosystem-specific consideration of any ecosystem-based management regimebased management regime

Systematic search and Systematic search and investigation of the oceans for investigation of the oceans for the purpose of discovery the purpose of discovery through disciplined diverse through disciplined diverse observations and recording of observations and recording of the findingsthe findingsDelving into 95% of our Delving into 95% of our oceans that has never been oceans that has never been seen beforeseen beforeUsing new technologies and Using new technologies and applicationsapplications

Ocean ExplorationOcean Exploration

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Consideration: ExplorationExploration

•Support the President’s Panel Support the President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration and the on Ocean Exploration and the NRC panel report for the NRC panel report for the establishment of a robust and establishment of a robust and long-term effort in global long-term effort in global ocean exploration.ocean exploration.

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Consideration: ExplorationExploration

• An Ocean Exploration program An Ocean Exploration program should be bold and innovative to should be bold and innovative to garner a broad consensus on its garner a broad consensus on its benefits to the Nation.benefits to the Nation.

• The program should include The program should include exploration and mapping of the exploration and mapping of the continental margin and the US EEZ.continental margin and the US EEZ.

USCOP Policy Option: USCOP Policy Option: Oceans Oceans & Human Health& Human Health

Federal government should establish an Federal government should establish an aggressive, fully-funded and coordinated aggressive, fully-funded and coordinated Oceans and Human Health Program that Oceans and Human Health Program that fosters and supports academic-private-sector-fosters and supports academic-private-sector-government partnerships to:government partnerships to:

• Conduct research that leads to understanding Conduct research that leads to understanding of the complex inter-relations, pathways and of the complex inter-relations, pathways and causal effects of marine pollution, harmful algal causal effects of marine pollution, harmful algal blooms, ecosystem degradation and alteration, blooms, ecosystem degradation and alteration, and human healthand human health

• Monitor and assess pollution inputs, ecosystem Monitor and assess pollution inputs, ecosystem health and human health impactshealth and human health impacts

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Oceans & Consideration: Oceans & HealthHealth

• Develop new technologies for Develop new technologies for measuring human and measuring human and environmental/ecological health environmental/ecological health parameters in the marine environmentparameters in the marine environment

• Develop models for predicting and Develop models for predicting and mitigating pollution, harmful algal mitigating pollution, harmful algal blooms, and diseases that may affect blooms, and diseases that may affect humans as well as marine organismshumans as well as marine organisms

• Establish a marine biotechnology R&D Establish a marine biotechnology R&D program that fosters private sector program that fosters private sector investment and sets a clear policy investment and sets a clear policy governing biotech activitiesgoverning biotech activities

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Consideration: Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

• Retain Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) Retain Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) and develop national coral reef and develop national coral reef strategies strategies

• Complete comprehensive map of US Complete comprehensive map of US coral reefscoral reefs

Satellite-based benthic Satellite-based benthic habitat map productshabitat map products

MidwayIslands

Satellite-derivedbathymetry map

Mappedtrue-color image

Benthic habitat map - from imagery

and field data

Multiple map products derived from IKONOS satellite imagery

USCOP Policy Options Under USCOP Policy Options Under Consideration: Consideration: Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

• Expand marine sanctuary “damage recovery” Expand marine sanctuary “damage recovery” provision to designated coral reefsprovision to designated coral reefs

• Continue active international leadershipContinue active international leadership– Offer “debt forgiveness” to foreign nations Offer “debt forgiveness” to foreign nations

which demonstrate good stewardshipwhich demonstrate good stewardship– Strive for international standards to limit Strive for international standards to limit

ornamental captureornamental capture– Use U.S. research strength to gain Use U.S. research strength to gain

leadershipleadership

USCOP Policy Option: Marine USCOP Policy Option: Marine Protected Area DefinitionProtected Area Definition

• A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a specified area of the marine specified area of the marine environment that has been set aside environment that has been set aside for the purpose of conservation of for the purpose of conservation of natural or cultural resources. natural or cultural resources.

USCOP Policy Option: Marine USCOP Policy Option: Marine Protected AreasProtected Areas• Congress should establish national Congress should establish national

standards for MPA developmentstandards for MPA development• National standards should guide national, National standards should guide national,

regional, and local efforts to develop MPAsregional, and local efforts to develop MPAs• Any national initiative to create an MPA Any national initiative to create an MPA

should involve substantial regional and should involve substantial regional and local coordination and participationlocal coordination and participation

• MPA management plans should include MPA management plans should include scientific or cultural assessment, scientific or cultural assessment, monitoring plan, and periodic reviewmonitoring plan, and periodic review

MARINE AQUACULTUREMARINE AQUACULTURE

• The US annual trade deficit in The US annual trade deficit in seafood is over $7 billionseafood is over $7 billion

• The US annually consumes nearly $1 The US annually consumes nearly $1 billion in foreign-grown aquaculture billion in foreign-grown aquaculture productsproducts

• Quality and safety issues, especially Quality and safety issues, especially with foreign-grown products must be with foreign-grown products must be addressedaddressed

Marine Aquaculture: Marine Aquaculture: ProblemsProblems

• Lack of consistent policy and Lack of consistent policy and regulatory frameworksregulatory frameworks

• Lack of technical informationLack of technical information

• Concerns over environmental Concerns over environmental impactsimpacts

USCOP Policy Options: Marine USCOP Policy Options: Marine AquacultureAquaculture

• The NOC should incorporate marine The NOC should incorporate marine aquaculture within an overall plan for aquaculture within an overall plan for mapping, managing, developing and mapping, managing, developing and conserving US federal waters.conserving US federal waters.

• The Joint Subcommittee on The Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture would be placed under Aquaculture would be placed under the auspices of the NOC.the auspices of the NOC.

USCOP Policy Options: Marine USCOP Policy Options: Marine AquacultureAquaculture

• National standards and operating National standards and operating procedures should be established to procedures should be established to minimize adverse environmental effects minimize adverse environmental effects of marine aquacultureof marine aquaculture

• NOAA should be the lead agency for NOAA should be the lead agency for marine aquaculture and should marine aquaculture and should significantly increase its investment in significantly increase its investment in aquaculture R&D, training and aquaculture R&D, training and technology transfertechnology transfer

Regional Fishery Regional Fishery Management Councils Management Councils

(RMFCs)(RMFCs)

USCOP Policy Options: Use & USCOP Policy Options: Use & Review of Scientific Review of Scientific Information in Fisheries Information in Fisheries Management Management • Require RFMCs to form and use Scientific Require RFMCs to form and use Scientific

& Statistical Committees (SSCs). Members & Statistical Committees (SSCs). Members to be appointed by the NMFS Director from to be appointed by the NMFS Director from list of qualified experts provided by the list of qualified experts provided by the RFMC and the National Research Council.RFMC and the National Research Council.

• The SSCs would set Allowable Biological The SSCs would set Allowable Biological Catch (ABC); the RFMC may lower this Catch (ABC); the RFMC may lower this level, but may not raise it.level, but may not raise it.

• Require NMFS to develop rigorous peer-Require NMFS to develop rigorous peer-review system for stock assessments, review system for stock assessments, assessment methodologies, etc.assessment methodologies, etc.

Policy Options In International Policy Options In International LeadershipLeadership• The U.S. needs to increase its commitment The U.S. needs to increase its commitment

to global ocean science, technology, and to global ocean science, technology, and education; especially its participation in education; especially its participation in large cooperative projects of critical large cooperative projects of critical importance to global environmental health importance to global environmental health and discovery and in international and discovery and in international capacity-building in education, research, capacity-building in education, research, exploration, infrastructure, and data-exploration, infrastructure, and data-exchange.exchange.

Policy Options In International Policy Options In International LeadershipLeadership

• Domestic action alone will be insufficient to Domestic action alone will be insufficient to address many of the problems facing US address many of the problems facing US living marine resources. In fact, for some living marine resources. In fact, for some issues (sea turtle bycatch, whale ship issues (sea turtle bycatch, whale ship strikes, marine mammal bycatch, highly strikes, marine mammal bycatch, highly migratory species fisheries, invasive migratory species fisheries, invasive species), the primary problem can only be species), the primary problem can only be addressed by coordinated international addressed by coordinated international action. This requires international action. This requires international leadership by the US.leadership by the US.