Got the PostMagnuson Blues See Whats Next on the Hit Parade

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Got the Post-Magnuson Blues? See Whats Next on
the Hit Parade!

• Rick E. Marks
• Robertson, Monagle Eastaugh
• PSMFC 2007

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Mammals, MSA Implementation, BOB and Other
Marine Detritus!

• of whales of ships of sealing wax, of cabbages
  and kings.
• MSA implementation
• H.R. 21, the BIG OCEAN BILL (a.k.a. BOB)
• PSMFC Grab Bag!

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Marine Mammal Update 1

• So. Resident Killer Whales
• Endangered in 2006 (lt100 individuals)
• DPS Recovery Plan undergoing revision
• ANPR for vessel proximity concerns 3/2007
• AT1 Killer Whales
• DPS depleted in 2004 (no FIs, no calves)
• Causes unknown, conservation plan problematic
• Monitoring to determine best course of action

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Marine Mammal Update 2

• Southern Sea Otter (a.k.a. CA Sea Otter)
• Final EIS ROD expected in 2008
• ? No. Sea Otter (SW Alaska DPS)
• ESA threatened status, 2005
• SWAKSORT holding 4th mtg in 11/07
• Drafting recovery plan conducting research
• Critical Habitat litigation filed 12/06, settled
• Expect action on RP CH/PCE, 2008

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Marine Mammal Update 3

• Cook Inlet Beluga Whale
• 8/706 ESA listing petition accepted
• Final ESA determination 4/08
• North Pacific Right Whale
• 36,750 sq nm in Bering Sea/Gulf of Alaska
  critical habitat, 7/06
• PCE zooplankton
• Actions cannot adversely modify critical habitat,
  esp. the PCE no Fishery Interactions (FIs)

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Marine Mammal Update 4

• North Atlantic Right Whale
• ME to FL 325 animals allowable biological
  removal0 fixed gear FIs 1000s of active
  trap/pot/gillnet vessel operations
• Final EIS 8/07, Final Rule 10/07
• Ban on floating ground lines
• Permanent gillnet prohibition, weak links, zones
• Vertical line regulations?
• Vessel port trajectories changed for Boston
  harbor

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MSA Implementation 1

• NMFS hosts kickoff workshop 1/9/07
• MSA Implementation workshop 9/25/07
• Scoping NS1 Guidelines for Annual Catch Limits
  (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs)

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MSA Implementation 2

• Public comment on procedures to comply with NEPA
  4/07, final action expected 1/08
• NMFS-led committee process designed to improve
  recreational data collection
• Agency seeking public comment on interpretation
  and application of LAPPs in MSA Sec. 303A,
  deadline 9/30/07

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MSA Implementation 3

• Regional Councils to move FMP consistency
  amendments as necessary
• Primary implementation concern is lack of funding

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H.R. 21 THE BIG OCEAN BILL

• The Oceans Conservation, Education, and National
  Strategy for the 21st Century Act
• Rep. Farr (D-CA) 50 cosponsors, 1/4/07
• To establish a national policy for our oceans, to
  strengthen NOAA, to establish a national and
  regional ocean governance structure, and for
  other purposes
• House Natural Resources Subcom hearing 4/6/07

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H.R. 21 Broad Purposes

• Est. national oceans policy regarding all covered
  actions that may significantly affect ocean and
  coastal resources
• Requires covered actions to be consistent with a
  set of national standards
• Empowers regional and federal governance
• Promotes ecosystem-based management
• Enhances stewardship via education

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H.R. 21 Key Definitions

• Ocean and coastal resources any living,
  nonliving, or cultural amenity
• Covered Action any federal activity
• Biological Diversity a collection of genomes,
  species, and ecosystems in a defined region
• Precautionary approach an approach used to
  ensure health and sustainability of marine
  ecosystems in which lack of full scientific
  certainty shall not be justification for
  postponing action to protect the environment

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H.R. 21 Key Definitions

• Healthy Marine Ecosystem - has the ability to
  support and maintain a resilient community of
  organisms with a complete diversity of native
  species and habitats in functional abundance
  incl. physical, chemical, geological, and
  microbial components
• Important Ecological Area an area that
  contributes significantly to the health of the
  larger marine ecosystem, be it a
  breeding/feeding/spawning/nursery area or a
  unique or sensitive area

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H.R. 21 Key Definitions

• Ecosystem-Based Management is an approach that
  considers the entire ecosystem to ensure
  maintenance of a healthy, productive and
  resilient condition and acknowledgement of the
  link between air, land and sea AND between
  ecological, social, economic and institutional
  perspectives

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H.R. 21 Primary National Standard for Covered
Actions (CA)

• Every CA must be conducted in a manner that is
  consistent with protection, maintenance and
  restoration of healthy ecosystems
• CA may not proceed if likely to significantly
  harm ecosystem or impede restoration
• If CA impacts are uncertain the precautionary
  approach shall be required
• Administrator has 90 days to review a CA

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H.R. 21 Components

• Essentially implements the NOAA Organic Act to
  comprehensively reorganize the department at all
  levels
• National Oceans Advisor
• National Committee on Ocean Policy
• Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy

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H.R. 21 Components

• Regional Coordination and Ecosystem Planning
  achieved via a network of governance planning
  bodies
• Regional Ocean Partnerships in 9 regions with
  advisory committees
• Creation of regional ocean strategic plans w/in 3
  years
• 12 new reporting requirements w/in 3 yrs

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H.R. 21 Prognostications

• Split constituencies, opposed by the
  Administration, redraft possible, House committee
  mark up possible, House passage difficult in
  present form
• JOCI in discussions with Hill staff public
• Senate does not appear eager at this time
• All bets are off under a new administration

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PSMFC Grab Bag 1

• Next key reauthorizations NMSA MMPA CZMA
• Puget Sound Steelhead ESA threatened, 5/07
• Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force 1st
  meeting, 9/07
• Marine zones in the Channel Islands, 7/07
• S-K grant round, 10/07
• Natl Offshore Aquaculture Act HR 2010 S. 1195
• Makah whaling activities

• NPDES permits for all fishing vessels? 72 FR
  34241
• HI Islands Marine Natl Monument 2006/2007 Coral
  Reef Conservation Amendments/2008 Year of the
  Coral Reef/143M for ocean priorities 2007
• Navy banned from using sonar off So. CA, 8/07,
  turned on appeal, 9/07
• New CPS sea otter reporting requirements, 7/07

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PSMFC Grab Bag 2

• USCG FY08 authorization HR 2830 (new vessel
  safety program!) S.1892
• CZMA S.1579 (Snowe, R-ME)
• House/Senate resolutions opposing foreign fishing
  subsidies

• Working Waterfront Preservation S.741 (Collins,
  R-ME)
• Invasive Species (HR 260 767 889 2423 S.
  725 1578)
• Senate resolution on harmful foreign fishing
  practices