U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

Recommendation 19–21The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) should change the designation of essential fishhabitat from a species-by-species to a multispecies approach and, ultimately, to an ecosystembasedapproach. The approach should draw upon existing efforts to identify important habitatsand locate optimum-sized areas to protect vulnerable life-history stages of commerciallyand recreationally important species. NMFS should work with other management entities toprotect essential fish habitat when such areas fall outside their jurisdiction.This effort should include:• well-documented, science-based analytical methods.• consideration of ecologically valuable species that are not necessarily commerciallyimportant.• an extensive research and development program to refine existing analytical methodsand develop additional means to identify habitats critical to sustainability and biodiversitygoals.Recommendation 19–22The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Regional Fishery Management Councils, states,and interstate fisheries commissions, should develop regional bycatch reduction plans thataddress the broad ecosystem impacts of bycatch for areas under their jurisdiction. Implementationof these plans will require NMFS to collect data on bycatch of all species captured by commercialand recreational fishermen, not only of commercially important species. The selective useof observers should remain an important component of these efforts.Recommendation 19–23The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) should expand its program in conservation engineeringto help reduce the impacts of fishing on ecosystems. The program should give highpriority to finding ways to reduce bycatch in fisheries that interact with endangered species.As gear and fishing methods are shown to be effective, NMFS should promote their rapidimplementation in U.S. fisheries and work with the U.S. Department of State to promotetheir international adoption.Recommendation 19–24The U.S. Department of State, working with other appropriate entities, should encourage allcountries to ratify the Fish Stocks Agreement and the United Nations Food and AgricultureOrganization’s Compliance Agreement. In particular, the United States should condition othernations’ access to fishing resources within the U.S. exclusive economic zone on their ratificationof these agreements. The United States and other signatory nations should also developadditional incentives to encourage all nations to ratify and enforce these agreements.Recommendation 19–25The U.S. Department of State, working with the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration, should review and update regional and bilateral fishery agreements to whichthe United States is a party, to ensure full incorporation of the latest science and harmonizethose agreements with the Fish Stocks Agreement. The United States should fulfill existinginternational fishery management obligations, including full funding of U.S. commitments.Recommendation 19–26The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, working with the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService and U.S. Department of State, should design a national plan of action for the UnitedStates that implements, and is consistent with, the International Plans of Action adopted bythe United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and its 1995 Code of Conduct forResponsible Fisheries. This national plan should stress the importance of reducing bycatch ofendangered species and marine mammals.CHAPTER 31: SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS507