1	MAFAC Marine Fisheries Advisory Council Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere NOAA Administrator January 11, 2005
2	NOAA’s Mission To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.
3	NOAA’s Mission Goals Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem management Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond Serve society’s needs for weather and water information Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation
4	Operational Structure NOAA Program Manager List: October 7, 2004
5	Operational Structure NOAA Program Manager List: October 7, 2004
6	Administration’s Response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy December 17, 2004 Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy U.S. Ocean Action Plan http://ocean.ceq.gov
7	Committee on Ocean Policy Will advise President and agency heads on policies concerning ocean-related matters
8	U.S. Ocean Action Plan Summarizes the Administration’s actions undertaken since the Commission’s report was drafted Identifies additional near-term actions that provide direction for ocean policy Outlines comprehensive, long-term actions for the future Improves governance between Federal, state, local and tribal authorities
9	Fisheries related items Ecosystem approach to management Regional ocean councils Market based approaches to fishery management Recreational Fishing Data Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
10	Ecosystem Definitions An ecosystem is a geographically specified system of organisms (including humans), the environment, and the processes that control its dynamics Ecosystem approach to management: Adaptive Regionally directed Takes account of ecosystem knowledge Takes account of uncertainty Considers multiple external influences Strives to balance diverse societal objectives
11	Ecosystem Management in Action Fishery Management Plans include bycatch and habitat considerations NWHI Coral Reef Management Plan Collaboration with Councils
12	The Herring Fishery Predator/prey relationship: bluefin tuna/herring Predator/prey relationship: codfish/small herring Predator/prey relationship: herring/cod larvae Economic implications: lobster traps use herring bait Knowledge gained through more research can be incorporated into management decisions
13	CA/OR Drift Gillnet Fishery Leatherback Closed Area Annually August - November Loggerhead Closed Area June-August during El Niño years
14	North Pacific Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP) Climate change is affecting species distribution, recruitment, harvests and trophic interactions Supported by a biophysical monitoring network Provides managers with qualitative and quantitative assessments and predictions North Pacific FMC utilizes information to engage in an ecosystem approach to management
15	Challenges/Areas for Improvement Communication – Internal and External Federal/state jurisdictions VMS systems More research/modeling/data
16	Earth Observations Benefits
17	Earth Observations and Fisheries Commercial & recreational catch statistics Stock assessments Observer program Standardized sampling gear Oceanographic & lower tropic level data
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19	Aquaculture Opportunities: satisfy rising demand for seafood, reduce trade deficit, enhance food security, replenish depleted species, provide coastal jobs Challenges: divergent views, balancing multiple uses, lack of regulatory framework President to propose offshore aquaculture legislation Grants authority to issue offshore aquaculture permits Provides environmental and other safeguards Supports development of offshore aquaculture Consensus building