Why Now? Regional, State and Federal Interests in Our Oceans and Coasts

1. Why Now?Regional, State and Federal Interests in Our Oceans and Coasts Krista Kamer Program Manager Ocean Observing Programs SFSU

2. Value of Our Coast and Ocean • $43B Ocean Economy in 2000 • coastal construction, living resources, offshore minerals, ship and boat building and repair, maritime transportation and ports, and coastal tourism and recreation • 400,000 jobs • 77% of population lives near coast -Kildow and Colgan 2005 National Ocean Economics Program

3. Environmental Challenges • Climate change and sea level rise • Invasive species and harmful algal blooms (HABs) • Coastal erosion, pollution and declining water quality • Habitat loss and declining fisheries • Ocean acidification • Many more

4. Scale: Local to Global • Local interests • State • OPC, MPAs • West Coast • National • IOOS • Global

5. State Level:Ocean Protection Council • California Ocean Protection Act (COPA)-2004 • Ocean Protection Council (OPC) The OPC is responsible for ensuring that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations.

6. State Level:Ocean Protection Council Strategic Plan-2006 • Increased research and monitoring • Improved ocean and coastal water quality • Improved quantity and quality of ocean and coastal habitat • Responsible management of ocean and coastal ecosystems - includes MPAs • Education and outreach to increase public awareness and improve ocean stewardship

7. State Level:Ocean Protection Council • Science Advisory Team • Kenneth Coale-MLML • Mark Moline-Cal Poly SLO • Steve Murray-CSU Fullerton • Karina Nielsen-Sonoma State • Scott Quackenbush-Humboldt State • Authorization to disburse up to $60,000 to the University of California Marine Council (UCMC) to fund two graduate fellowships

8. State Level:Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) • Marine Life Protection Act-1999 • Statewide network of marine protected areas (MPAs) • Generally disallow commercial or recreational extraction • Protect the state's marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage • Improve recreational, educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems

9. State Level:Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Marine Life Protection Program • Conservation of biological diversity and health of marine ecosystems • Recovery of wildlife populations • Improvements to recreational and educational opportunities consistent with biodiversity conservation • Protection of representative and unique habitats for their intrinsic value • Ensuring that MPAs … are designed on sound science

10. State Level:Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

11. Regional Level:West Coast Governors’ Agreement • California, Oregon and Washington • West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health-2006 • Formalizes cooperation among the three west coast states to enhance ocean and coastal conservation strategies

12. Regional Level:West Coast Governors’ Agreement Seven issues of regional significance • Clean coastal waters and beaches • Healthy ocean and coastal habitats • Effective ecosystem-based management • Reduced impacts of offshore development • Increased ocean awareness and literacy among the region’s citizens • Expanded ocean and coastal scientific information, research, and monitoring • Sustainable economic development of coastal communities

13. National Level • Pew Oceans Commission Report-2003 • U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy-2004 • Oceans are in crisis • National, unified ocean policies • Increased stewardship of our oceans and coastal regions

14. National Level:Pew Oceans Commission Report Five priority objectives • Protecting ecosystem health • Sustainable use of ocean resources • Comprehensive and coordinated governance of ocean resources and uses • Fisheries management and habitat protection • Pollution control and water quality

15. National Level: US Commission on Ocean Policy • National Ocean Policy Framework • More scientific information • “Decisions about ocean and coastal resources be based on the most current, credible, and unbiased scientific data and information.” • Increased education and implementation • Increase public participation • Promote a broad stewardship ethic • Train a future workforce generation

16. National Level:Integrated Ocean Observing System Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

17. National Level:California’s Regional Associations • Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) • Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS)

18. Areas of Overlap • Strong national and regional interests in marine and coastal management and conservation • Responsible management for sustainable fisheries and use of ocean resources • Improving water quality • Protecting habitats and ecosystem health • Increased research and monitoring to improve scientific understanding • Increased public awareness and stewardship

19. Opportunity for the CSU • State and national leadership • Expertise • Scientific information, products • Decision-making tools • Clearinghouse for information • Gather and disseminate • Funding opportunities

20. Considering COAST If not now, when? If not us, who?