Sustainable Fisheries social/economic

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires the development and implementation of conservation and management measures to prevent overfishing, rebuild depleted stocks, and promote the long-term health and sustainability of fisheries. As part of this mandate, the MSA, and related law, require the consideration of social and economic factors by Councils, fishery managers and the Secretary of Commerce. In particular, the MSA requires every management action to contain a fishery impact statement (FIS) which assesses, specifies, and describes likely effects of conservation and management measures on participants in the fishery or fisheries being managed, fishing communities, and participants in neighboring fisheries [MSA Section 303(a)(9)]. If a limited access system is considered as a management option, the Councils, fishery managers and the Secretary must consider present and historic participation in and dependence on the fishery, the economics of the fishery, and the cultural and social framework relevant to the fishery and any affected fishing communities [MSA Section 303(b)(6)]. Further, the MSA stipulates ten National Standards to which fishery conservation and management actions must conform. Six of these National Standards have social and economic implications and one, National Standard 8, requires analyses to determine the social and economic impacts of proposed conservation or management actions on fishing communities.

The principal tasks of the social science and economics staff are to review all proposed fishery conservation and management actions submitted by Councils and fishery managers and advise the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) directorate on the adequacy of social and economic analyses and assessments in relation to the mandates of the MSA and other applicable law. To this end, staff develop policies and guidance on social and economic impact assessments, and work with Councils and fishery managers in developing appropriate planning tools and measures.

Peter Fricke, sociologist/social anthropologist, is responsible for headquarters review of and comments on social impacts of proposed actions on fishery participants and fishing communities related to MSA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. He provides advice to the NMFS directorate, regions and the Councils on research needs and policy issues, and develops social impact assessment guidance documents. He develops and tests research protocols relating to sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities. Since much of fisheries social science research is conducted outside NMFS, Dr. Fricke also represents NMFS in contacts with academic and other social science researchers and in consultations with other agencies and the public on matters of social impact assessment.

Theo Brainerd economist, is responsible for headquarters review and comment on draft Regulatory Impact review (RIR), Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), and other economic analyses for conformance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, E.O. 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and other applicable law. In addition, he provides NMFS/NOAA/DOC directorate with an overall review, identification of critical problems and recommendations regarding the acceptability of the economic analyses of potential management actions. Works with authors of economic analyses to achieve necessary improvements or revisions regarding analytical requirements, approach, methodology, or content of the analyses. Acts as NMFS liaison with OMB an SBA, as appropriate, to discuss draft analyses, or resolve possible problems or questions as they relate to the acceptability of the analyses. Represents NMFS in consultations with members of the Councils, Congress, or the public concerning the requirements, elements and potential problems with draft economic analyses.

NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East West Highway, SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910