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The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) and the

Administration Response

A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board

Dr. Richard Spinrad Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service

Co-Chair, NOAA Ocean Council

March 22, 2005

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Purpose

• Update the SAB on recent Ocean Action Plan activities

• Engage the SAB on scientific issues

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Issues

Develop an Administration-wide Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy.

• Framework due by March 31, 2005; Detailed plan and strategy due by December 31, 2006.

• Framework, and subsequent drafts, will be provided to the SAB for comment

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USCOP Background

• The first major review of Ocean Policy in 35 years

• 1969 Stratton Commission led to the creation of NOAA

• Oceans Act of 2000 established USCOP

• Commission appointed by Bush (43); led by former Bush (41) Energy Secretary Admiral James Watkins

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USCOP Commissioners

• Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.) Chairman• Robert Ballard, PhD• Mr. Ted A. Beattie• Mrs. Lillian Borrone• Dr. James M. Coleman• Ms. Ann D’Amato• Mr. Lawrence Dickerson• Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, USN (Ret.)• Professor Marc J. Hershman• Mr. Paul L. Kelly• Mr. Christopher Koch• Dr. Frank Muller-Karger• Mr. Edward B. Rasmuson• Dr. Andrew A. Rosenberg • Mr. William D. Ruckelshaus• Dr. Paul A. Sandifer • Mr. Thomas R. Kitsos, Executive Director

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USCOP Science Advisory panel

• Donald F. Boesch, Ph.D.• Ken Brink, Ph.D.• Daniel W. Bromley, Ph.D.• Otis Brown, Ph.D.• Biliana Cicin-Sain, Ph.D.• Robert A. Frosch, Ph.D.• Robert B. Gagosian, Ph.D.• J. Frederick Grassle, Ph.D.• D. Jay Grimes, Ph.D.• Susan Hanna, Ph.D.• Ray Hilborn, Ph.D.• DeWitt John, Ph.D.• Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.

• Marcia McNutt, Ph.D. • Jacqueline Michel, Ph.D.• Edward L. Miles, Ph.D.• Michael K. Orbach, Ph.D.• John A. Orcutt, Ph.D.• Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D.• David B. Prior, Ph.D.• Andrew R. Solow, Ph.D.• Robert Spindel, Ph.D.• Carolyn A. Thoroughgood,

Ph.D.• Sharon Walker, Ph.D.• Warren M. Washington, Ph.D.• Robert M. White, D.Sc.

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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century

• Final report: September 20, 2004, includes comments from 37 Governors

• 31 Issue-based chapters

• 212 recommendations – 60 specific to NOAA

• NOAA is recognized as the nation’s lead civilian ocean agency

• Administrations response released December 17th

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Key USCOP Recommendations

• Ecosystem Based Management

• Improved Governance

• Sound Science

• Education

• Specific Issue Based Recommendations

• Implementation & Ocean Policy Trust Fund

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Administration Response

• Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) leads Interagency Ocean Policy Group

• NOAA, via the NOAA Ocean Council, provided input to CEQ

• Executive Order & U.S. Ocean Action Plan released December 17, 2004

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Ocean Action Plan -- Themes

I. Enhancing Ocean Leadership and Coordination

II. Advancing Our Understanding of the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes

III. Enhancing the Use and Conservation of Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Resources

IV. Managing Coasts and Their Watersheds

V. Supporting Marine Transportation

VI. Advancing International Ocean Policy and Science

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I. Enhancing Ocean Leadership and Coordination

Committee on Ocean Policy and associated groups

NOAA Organic Act Regional Partnerships

II. Advancing Our Understanding of the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes

Ocean Research Plan Ocean Observation Water Quality Mapping Education

Ocean Action Plan

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Enhancing Governance

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Advancing Understanding

• Build Integrated Ocean Observing System-coordinate with GEOSS

• Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science & Technology (JSOST) is develop a plan for interagency ocean research priorities– Framework by March 31, 2005– Final by December 31, 2006

• Integrated ocean mapping initiative• Advance international capacity building

-tsunami response

• Create new NOAA Education Office• Ocean Action Plan education initiatives

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III. Enhancing the Use and Conservation of Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Resources

Sustainable Fisheries Coral Conservation Protected Species Aquaculture Marine Managed Areas Maritime Heritage

IV. Managing Coasts and Their Watersheds

Coastal & Watershed Management

Coastal Habitat Invasive species Water Pollution

Ocean Action Plan

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Ocean Resources & Coastal Watersheds

• Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization

• Offshore Aquaculture Legislation

• NW Hawaiian Islands Coral Reserve

• Community Watershed Workshops

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Ocean Action Plan

V. Supporting Marine Transportation

Improving Marine Transportation

Freight Action Vessel Pollution

VI. Advancing International Ocean Policy and Science

Law of the Sea Accession White Water to Blue Water Discharges at Sea Large Marine Ecosystems Global Marine Assessment

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Marine Transportation & International Efforts

• Elevate Interagency Committee on Marine Transportation System to cabinet level

• Champion accession to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

• Support MARPOL Annex VI ratification; will enter into force on March 19th

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NOAA Coordination & Views

• NOAA Ocean Council coordinates Agency actions related to the USCOP and the Ocean Action Plan– NOS & NMFS are Co-Chairs

• NOAA has a major role in the new Ocean Action Plan Structure– Co-chairs on both the JSOST and the Interagency

Working Group on Ocean Resource Management

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Desired Outcomes

Science Advisory Board input on:

• Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy.

– Framework by March 31, 2005. – Detailed plan and strategy by

December 31, 2006.