Moving Toward Sustainable Marine Resources

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National Marine Fisheries Service National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Stewardship
of Living Marine Resources William T. Hogarth,
Ph. D. Presentation for Marine Fisheries
Research, Management, Technology and
Trade Advancing sustainability in the ocean
environment February 3, 2003
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Introduction

• US Department of Commerce

NOAA
NOAA Fisheries
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Sustainable Fisheries

• Mission
• increase the Nations wealth quality of life
• support fishing industry jobs
• provide safe wholesome seafood
• ensure recreational opportunities
• ensure sustainable resources for the future

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Sustainable Fisheries

• through
• overfishing overcapitalization prevention
• economic sustainability in communities
• bycatch reduction
• environmentally sound aquaculture
• environmentally compatible fishery practices

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NOAA FisheriesKey Program Areas

• sustainable fisheries ?
• protected species recovery ?
• habitat conservation ?
• science and technology
• law enforcement
• constituent services

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Legislative Mandates

• Key statutory authorities
• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
  Management Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• Numerous other laws
• Regional and international fisheries management
• Habitat protection and restoration

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Regional Councils and FMPs
North Pacific Fishery Mgt. Council 5 FMPs
Dept. Commerce 2 Secretarial FMPs
Pacific Fishery Mgt. Council 3 FMPs
New England Fishery Mgt. Council 6 FMPs
Nationwide 43 FMPs, 538 Species
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Mgt. Council 6 FMPs
South Atlantic Fishery Mgt. Council 5 FMPs
Western Pacific Fishery Mgt. Council 5 FMPs
Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Mgt. Council 7 FMPs
Caribbean Fishery Mgt. Council 4 FMPs
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Status of Stocks

• Considerable, steady incremental progress has
  been made in bringing U.S. fisheries into
  conformance with our guidelines
• Harvest rates are being controlled status
  improving
• Aggregate numbers do not necessarily reflect this
  trend
• In 2002
• 212 stocks had sustainable harvest rates
  
• 152 stocks considered healthy and not overfished
• 86 stocks considered overfished
• 4 stocks declared fully rebuilt

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Management Challenges

• Bycatch
• Affects finfish, marine mammals, sea turtles,
  seabirds, other components of marine ecosystem
• Removal of forage species may affect ecosystem
• Affects long-term sustainability of marine
  resources and protected resources
• Economic losses

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Management Challenges

• Over-capacity in U.S. Fisheries
• Significant over-capacity in harvesting and
  processing sectors
• Causes include Open access management
  inappropriate economic incentives fostered by
  past Government Programs
• At least half of all major commercial fisheries
  exhibit over-capacity
• Remedies are few (IFQs and buybacks), and depend
  on Congressional Action

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Protected Species Challenges

• Endangered Species Act
• require long-term commitment to reverse long-term
  declines
• conserve species while allowing sustainable human
  use
• emphasize working with private parties states
• move beyond single species towards an ecosystem
  approach
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• reduce the mortality serious injury in fishing
  gear
• reduce non-fishing activity impacts, specifically
  noise
• Provide adequate science to support management
  decisions

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Habitat Conservation Efforts

• Reduce coastal habitat loss through permit review
  consultation, mitigation
• Address anadromous fish passage impediments
  caused by hydropower, irrigation diversions
  small blockages
• Work with Councils and states to identify
  essential fish habitat and fishing threats to
  EFH consulting with Federal agencies on impacts
• Sponsor and undertake habitat restoration
  projects in partnership with other agencies,
  regional efforts local communities

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Research Vessel Needs
NOAA SHIP ALBATROSS IV
NOAA SHIP OSCAR DYSON
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Conclusion

• Restoring optimum yield of all species
• Managing as a unit
• Maximizing efficiency in utilization while
  minimizing cost
• Protecting, conserving and restoring coastal
  habitats and their biodiversity.
• Promoting international cooperation in the
  conservation and management of shared living
  marine resources