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Cool Ocean Stuff!

Cool Ocean Stuff!. Rick E. Marks Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh PSMFC 2013. PSMFC Annual Meeting 2013. National Ocean Policy/Climate Change Magnuson-Stevens Act Protected Species SHARK! & MMPA & ESA Catch Share Update Seafood Sustainability & Eco-Labels NPDES/Ballast Permit Update

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Cool Ocean Stuff!

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  1. Cool Ocean Stuff! Rick E. Marks Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh PSMFC 2013

  2. PSMFC Annual Meeting 2013 • National Ocean Policy/Climate Change • Magnuson-Stevens Act • Protected Species • SHARK! & MMPA & ESA • Catch Share Update • Seafood Sustainability & Eco-Labels • NPDES/Ballast Permit Update • Aquatic Invasive Species • Sanctuary! • Tribal Issues • PSMFC Issues “Grab Bag”

  3. National Ocean Policy Update • FINAL NOP Implementation Plan (4/13); Marine Planning Handbook (7/13) • Focus areas: CMSP, ECOSYSTEM-BASED MGMT, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, HABITAT PROTECTION, ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCY & OCEAN ACIDIFICATION • Despite process/statutory uncertainty; Senate letter of concern; 6 House-passed amendments to defund the NOP -- the RPB process continues • Senate WRDA incl. “Nat’l Endowment for the Oceans” • NE & MID regions lead; Pac NW & GOMEX slower; WA developing CMSP; Alaska not yet convinced…

  4. NOP: Learning through experience… • NOC/RPB convey NOP will not create new regulations or supersede existing federal authorities…but RPB process will inform authorities who must comply with the EO to protect/manage/restore…and this may lead to new regulations on federally-permitted activities • RPBs have flexibility; likely incorporating Governor’s Agreements into regional plans • RPBs to develop work plans, charters, data parameters, operating procedures, stakeholder input mechanisms • States can elect to “opt out” but a plan can still be developed for surrounding waters

  5. Climate Change Activities • Final “National Fish, Wildlife, & Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy” (4/13; See http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/) • The new “President’s Climate Action Plan” (6/13) “is a broad-based plan to cut the carbon pollution that causes climate change and affects public health.” (White House, 6/25/13) • “Key Pillars”: cut domestic carbon pollution; prepare for impacts of climate change; lead international efforts to combat climate change • Creation of a WH “Task Force on Climate Preparedness”

  6. Climate Change in the News… • Everest glaciers melting ~ reduced 13% in past 50 years (S. Thakuri, Univ. of Milan, 6/13) • CO2 concentration in the atmosphere > 400 ppm for the first time in 3 million years (NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory; 5/13) • “Sea surface temps in North Atlantic highest recorded in 150 yrs” (NOAA; 4/13) • UN Report 8/13: “Rising temps 95% human-driven”; UN “Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group” supports need to protect marine biodiversity in high seas (8/27/13) • State Dept to convene “Oceans Under Threat: Charting a Sustainable Future” international conference (10/24/13)

  7. Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) • MONF3 5/13: platform for reform • NOAA revises NSG2; NSG1 PR expected fall 2014 after series of constituent meetings • Data Confidentiality changes pending (77 FR 30486) • NAS NRC study: “Effectiveness of Stock Rebuilding Plans” (http://www.nationalacadamies.com; 9/5/13) • GAO Study: NMFS Stock Assessments (est. 3/13) • NOAA initiates 1st year of rolling Science Center peer reviews; Topic #1 -- Fishery Stock Assessment Processes (http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/science-program-review/index)

  8. MSA Activities: House • Natural Resources Full Committee Hearing: “NOAA’s Fishery Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs” (3/13) • Subcommittee: “Oversight Hearing on Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act “ (5/21; PSMFC’s R. Fisher testifies) • Full Committee: “Oversight on the Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico Under the Magnuson-Steven Act” (7/13) • Full Committee: MSA Oversight Hearing (9/13) • OUTLOOK: Informed by MONF3; hearings continue; draft reform legislation fall 2013; activity to increase after mid-term elections…

  9. MSA Activities: Senate • Senate Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: “Developments and Opportunities in U.S. Fisheries Management” (3/13; PSMFC’s R. Fisher testifies) • Subcommittee: “Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization” (NE & MA Regional focus; 7/13) • Chairman Begich (AK-D) to hold a series of regionally-focused hearings (possibly field hearings) • OUTLOOK: Hearings continue in 2014-15; a “deliberative & comprehensive” approach; likely wait on House action & results of mid-term elections…

  10. Protected Species #1 • CA Sea Lion (HR 1308; Rep. Hastings WA-R-4th) “Endangered Salmon & Fisheries Predation Prevention Act”) introduced 3/13; hearing 6/13; NOAA permits effective to 5/2016 • AK Sea Otters: SW stable (orca problems), Final Recovery Plan (78 FR 54905); SC+; SE+2X in 10yrs ~ fishery conflicts increasing • Final Report: “Effects of Salmon Fisheries on So. Res. Killer Whales” (11/12); NOAA/DFO actions pending review • NOAA rejects petition to delist So. Res. Killer Whale (8/13) • CA Drift Gillnet Fishery to close w/1 sperm whale injury through 1/31/2014

  11. Protected Species #2 • Final Rule: Delist SSL Eastern DPS EXPECTED SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 • SSL Western DPS: 9th Circuit upholds federal fishing restrictions (7/13) • NOAA rejects petition to ESA list Ribbon seals (7/13) • Recovery Plan: North Pacific Right Whale (78 FR 34347) • BSAI Rockfish Trawl Fishery reclassified as Cat. II fishery (from III) due to KW interactions (78 FR 23708) • CA Sea Otters: stable (3yr avg.=2,800); USFWS terminates translocation (77 FR 75266) to allow for “natural range expansion” to reach 16,000 animal goal; one limiting factor…white shark predation

  12. SHARK #1 • Sharks managed by NOAA for legal harvest; practice of “finning” illegal since 2000; Shark Conservation Act 2010 adds protections; CITES 2013 adds 5 commercially-valuable sharks; shark meat value +++ • NGO global anti-fin campaign morphs to ban legal shark fishing and use of shark products • MD/NY/CA/WA/IL/OR/HI state laws ~ inconsistencies with federal law over legally landed sharks w/fins attached to the carcass

  13. SHARK #2 • US DOJ files amicus brief in Chinatown Assn. case v. CA/Humane Society (7/13) • Several drafts of House resolutions & legislation opposing all use of sharks circulating in Congress (7/13) • J. Environ Stud Sci (2013) 3:65-73; Science, policy and the public discourse of shark “attack” • Shark conservationists press national media to decriminalize “shark attacks” • Activities coincide with “Shark Week 2013”

  14. SHARK #3 • NOAA rejects 2 petitions by NGOs to ESA list North Pacific white sharks (7/13) • State of CA considering whether to independently list white sharks • Grey seal population triples off Cape Cod, MA attracting large numbers of white sharks, threatening tourism/fishing • Online NE industry survey concerning mammal impacts & MA State grant: researchers tracking white shark behavior

  15. MMPA “activity” • Time for the next critical conversation? • 40-yr law, no amendments in 18 yrs • NGO litigation over PBR; ZMRG next? • Starving CA sea lions absent OSP determination • Mammals negatively impacting ESA salmon & mature sturgeon • Robust populations interacting with fisheries; attracting apex predators to near shore waters • State-Tribal jurisdictional issues • NOP/Ecosystem-Based Management

  16. ESA #1 • House ESA Working Group formed (5/13) to examine possible improvements (last reauthorized 1988) • Hearings: “Financial Impacts of ESA Lawsuits & Settlements” (3/13); “Defining Species Conservation Success: Tribal State and Local Stewardship v. Federal Courtroom Battles & Sue-and-Settle Practices” (6/13); “Transparency and Sound Science Gone Extinct? The Impacts of the Obama Administration’s Closed-Door Settlements on Endangered Species and People” (8/1) • “I do think it’s important that we move forward with ESA reform and that we find ways of dealing with these conflicts in a manner that is not as litigation-driven and conflict-ridden as it has been.” DOI Sec. K. Salazar; 2/15)

  17. ESA #2 • USFWS defends settlements as “a focus on recovery” • Spotted owls v. barred owls • NOAA rejects petition to delist So. OR/No. CA Coho (7/13) • ESA Plan: Lower Columbia Chinook (78 FR 41911) • Petition to ESA list whale shark rejected (8/13) • USFWS PR to delist Gray Wolf (78 FR 54614; comments 10/28) • NOAA rejects petition to ESA list 44 species of AK corals (78 FR 10601; 2/13) • Petition to list “Lolita” under review (4/13) • NOAA proposes CH for yelloweye, canary & bocaccio in Puget Sound; comments due 11/11/13 • Petition: NP Humpbacks a DPS & Delist? (78 FR 53391; comments due 10/28/13)

  18. ESA #3 • Wild Earth Guardians petition NOAA to ESA list 81 marine species using NOP EO as justification (7/13) • Proposed Policy changes pending on what constitutes “a significant portion of the range” • USFWS/NOAA PR to amend Sec. 7 regulations regarding incidental take statements and use of surrogates to express the amount or extent of anticipated incidental takes (78 FR 54437; comments due 11/4/13)

  19. Catch Share #1 • New England IFQ upheld by 1st Circuit Court of Appeals (12/12; New Bedford/Gloucester 2011 case) • West Coast Groundfish IFQ ~ NMFS maintains existing allocations for Pacific whiting shore-based & mother ship/catcher vessels (4/13) • NOAA re-proposes AK charter halibut catch sharing plan (78 FR 39122; 6/13) • GOMEX Sector Separation-Allocation-Litigation-State Jurisdictional issues complicate IFQ mgmt

  20. Catch Share #2 • H.R.2646/S.1275: “Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act” to allow refinancing of 2003 West Coast Groundfish buyback loans (7/13) • FY13 CR: Senate rejects House catch share prohibition; requires NOAA report on catch share processes in SA/MID/NE/GOMEX (3/13) • 26-Member House letter supporting $0 FY14 funding for new IFQs in NE/MID/SA/GOMEX; Nat’l fight continues over FY14 funding

  21. The Fight Over Your Fork! Eco-Labels & Seafood Sustainability

  22. The Fight over Your Fork! Eco-Labels & Seafood Sustainability • U.S. fishing industry frustrated with NGO eco-labels; approaches NOAA • MAFAC recommendations expected fall 2013 • Multiple RFMCs support NOAA MSA-based “sustainability” label • HHS/GSA/NPS announce policy to use only NGO-certified seafood products; triggers national industry response w/ Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) in lead role…

  23. EPA NPDES Vessel Discharge Permit Update • March 2013 EPA issues FINAL “VGP” requirements for commercial vessels (incl. commercial fishing/charter boats) > 79 ft for incidental/ballast discharges: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels • Effective dates: Ballast discharges 12/19/13; Incidental discharges 12/19/14 • NGOs (NRDC, NWF, NW Environmental Advocates) sue EPA over Final VGP rule (7/13) • Final “sVGP “ permit regulations for all vessels < 79ft anticipated fall 2013; effective 12/19/14; litigation???

  24. Aquatic Invasive Species • Western State (PSMFC) AIS Coordinators in DC (3/13) • H.R.1823 to add quaggas to Lacey Act (4/13) • 21-member AIS House letter: FY14 $$ (6/13) • Rep. Thompson (CA-D-5th) co-founds Invasive Species Caucus (8/13); 1stmtg 10/13 • Senate WRDA has $30M AIS Columbia River Basin provision; House WRDA activity pending… • AIS efforts continue ~ Lacey Act legislation; Lake Meade vessel monitoring & decontamination; AIS funding; Caucus activities

  25. Sanctuaries and such… • CA Members (Boxer/Woolsey) lead campaign to add 2,771 miles to Farallones & Cordell Banks via Presidential Monument Authority (12/12) • NOAA PR to amend NMSA regulations & site nomination process (78 FR 5998; 2/13 & 78 FR 38848; 6/28) • CA Pt. Reyes Marine Wilderness Area: Drakes Bay Oyster Co. vs. NPS in court over 40-yr lease termination (7/13) • Who manages fishery resources in NMS to be clarified in MSA reform?

  26. Tribal Issues of Interest • White House est. 1st Council on Native American Affairs (6/13) • EPA announces $635M plan to clean Upper Coeur d’Alene River Basin (9/12) • Sen. Cantwell 1st female chair of Indian Affairs • Graffiti of Alcatraz Occupation preserved by NPS (1/13) • “Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons in Trademark Act of 2013” to abolish Washington, DC NFL team trademark; litigation ongoing… • DOC Final Tribal Consultation Policy (6/13; 78 FR 33331) • DOC issues Draft Tribal Consultation Handbook (6/13)

  27. House hearing on DOI’s Secretarial Order implementing “National Blueways” initiative to designate/protect watersheds (7/13) Rep. DeFazio (OR-D-4th) Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Committee ANS TF completes 5-yr Strategic Plan (2013-2017); See http://anstaskforce.gov USCG termination of 2182kHz watchkeeping effective 8/1/13 (78 FR 42102 NW Fishery Science Ctr 3-5 yr Strategic Science Plan (7/13) $25 fee: Nat’l Saltwater Angler Registry (8/1/13) S.267/S.269: IUU & International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Acts moved by Commerce Committee (7/13) PSMFC “Grab Bag” #1

  28. NGOs lose “forage” fish lawsuit in SF District Court (appealed; 4/13) NOAA Draft 5-yr R&D plan (6/13) GAO Final Report on merging NMFS-FWS (2/13) New CA Marine Protected Areas (12/12) Navy to add 8 to Ocean Research AP (8/13) NOAA completes Allocation Report (1/13) Consolidation of NOAA’s West Coast Regional Offices (not science ctrs) underway Bills to address GE fish issues H.R.584 (Rep. Young) & S.246 (Sen. Begich) 2/13 Law of the Sea Treaty sinks in the Senate (7/13) PSMFC “Grab Bag” #2

  29. PSMFC “Grab Bag” #3 • NOAA report: sport fishing has highest number of lightening strike mortalities (6/13) • H.R. 753 (Rep. Young-AK) to prohibit EEZ finfish aquaculture operations absent permitting legislation • USDA National webinar: “Offshore Aquaculture and the MSA” (6/28) • Peter Buffet on charitable colonialism & conscience laundering (http://www.nytimes.com/2013//07/27/opinion/the-charitiable-industrial-complex.html)

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