Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management:

How Do We Get There From Here?

CHOW 2004

CHOW 2004

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century

What We Found

• Oceans and coasts are major contributors to the U.S. economy • Despite progress, ocean and coastal resources and ecosystems are in trouble • The existing management regime is outdated and incompatible with our new understanding of complex ecosystems CHOW 2004

USCOP Guiding Principles

• • • • • • • Sustainability Stewardship Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Connections Ecosystem-Based Management Multiple Use Management Preservation of Marine Biodiversity Best Available Science and Information CHOW 2004

Guiding Principles Cont’d

• • • • • • Adaptive Management Understandable Laws and Clear Decisions Participatory Governance Timeliness Accountability International Responsibility CHOW 2004

Principal Cross-cutting Themes

• • • • • Ecosystem-based management approach More science to support decision-making Better education, from K-gray Improved governance via a new national ocean policy framework Strengthened NOAA CHOW 2004

Step 1: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Deciding where we want to go.

CHOW 2004

USCOP’s Definition of Ecosystem-Based Management:

• US ocean and coastal resources should be managed to reflect the relationships among all ecosystem components, including humans and non-human species and the environments in which they live. Applying this principle will require defining relevant geographic management areas based on ecosystem, rather than political, boundaries. CHOW 2004

Ecosystem-Based Management

• Ecosystem-based management should be guided by clear, measurable goals and objectives, covering multiple uses and based on both the best available scientific information and the nation’s values (i.e., what are we managing for?). CHOW 2004

Ecosystem-Based Management

• One of the central goals for ecosystem based management should be the explicit consideration of biodiversity on species, genetic, and ecosystem levels.

CHOW 2004

Ecosystem-Based Management Requires More Scientific Information Therefore, the USCOP recommends development of a national strategy for coastal and ocean research that includes:  At least doubling the current research investment, with an emphasis on learning how marine ecosystems function  Implementing the Integrated Ocean Observing System, including a broad array of biological sensors  Expanding ocean exploration and Oceans and Human Health research CHOW 2004

• Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management Using A Precautionary Approach To ensure the sustainability of ecosystems for the benefit of future as well as current generations, decision makers should follow a balanced precautionary approach, applying judicious and responsible management practices based on the best available science and on proactive, rather than reactive, policies. Where threats of serious or irreversible damage exist, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a justification for postponing action to prevent environmental degradation.

CHOW 2004

USCOP’s Definition of “Precautionary Approach” Cont’d • Management plans and actions based on this precautionary approach should include scientific assessments, monitoring, mitigation measures to reduce environmental risk where needed, and periodic reviews of any restrictions and their scientific bases.

CHOW 2004

Step 2: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Defining practical, workable US coastal ecosystems or eco-regions for management purposes.

CHOW 2004

Large Marine Ecosystems of the United States CHOW 2004

Boundaries of the Eight Regional Fishery Management Councils CHOW 2004

Comparison of LME and RFMC Boundaries CHOW 2004

LME’s Of The US, With Associated Large Watersheds CHOW 2004

Step 3: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Putting the “strawman” eco-regional framework out for review by all involved federal agencies, the states, the academic community, and the general public. CHOW 2004

Step 4: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Reaching national consensus on a new eco-regional framework for management and research. CHOW 2004

Step 5: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Coming to grips with inter-regional resources and issues, such as highly migratory and wide-ranging species including marine mammals and sea turtles, life-history stages that move from system to system as development progresses, pollution, and special areas such as Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, other MPAs, etc. CHOW 2004

Step 6: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Implementing the new eco-regional framework and organizing government services, research, and information around it.

CHOW 2004

USCOP Recommendation 4-11:

• The President, through an Executive Order, should direct federal agencies with ocean- and coastal-related functions to immediately improve their regional coordination, as a precursor to regionalization around common regional boundaries and the eventual establishment of regional ocean councils. CHOW 2004

Step 7: Moving Toward Ecosystem Based Management • Providing for feedback loops and continuous improvement, especially as new scientific information becomes available. CHOW 2004

What Do We Get When We Get There?

• • • • Healthy, productive, diverse ecosystems Economically vibrant coastal regions Improved public health and safety Bountiful, sustainable oceans and coasts that benefit all Americans CHOW 2004

Thank you!

Paul A. Sandifer, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist for NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science c/o Hollings Marine Laboratory 331 Fort Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29412 [email protected]

CHOW 2004