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

liferation of federal and state programs for managing invasive species and should coordinateeducation and outreach efforts to increase public awareness about the importance ofprevention. In the long run, a rigorous program of research, technology development, andmonitoring will be needed to understand and effectively prevent aquatic species invasions.Reducing Marine DebrisMarine debris refers to the enormous amount of trash, abandoned fishing gear, and otherwaste that can be found drifting around the global ocean and washing up along its coastlines,posing serious threats to wildlife, habitats, and human health and safety. Approximately 80percent of this debris originates on land, either washed along in runoff, blown by winds,or intentionally dumped from shore, while 20 percent comes from offshore platforms andvessels, including fishing boats.The <strong>Commission</strong> recommends that NOAA, as the nation’s primary ocean and coastalmanagement agency, reestablish its defunct marine debris program to build on andcomplement EPA’s modest program. NOAA and EPA should expand their marine debrisefforts, taking advantage of each agency’s strengths by pursuing: public outreach andeducation; partnerships with local governments, community groups, and industry; andstrengthened research and monitoring efforts.An interagency committee under the National Ocean Council should coordinate federalmarine debris programs and take maximum advantage of the significant efforts conductedby private citizens, state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations.The United States should also remain active on the international level. An immediatepriority is the development of an international plan of action to address derelict fishinggear on the high seas.Achieving Sustainable FisheriesOver the last thirty years, the fishing industry has evolved from being largely unmanaged,with seemingly boundless opportunities, to one that is highly regulated and struggling toremain viable in some places. While the current regime has many positive features, suchas an emphasis on local participation, the pairing of science and management, and regionalflexibility, it has also allowed overexploitation of many fish stocks, degradation of habitats,and negative impacts on many ecosystems and fishing communities.The <strong>Commission</strong>’s recommendations to improve fishery management can be groupedinto six areas: re-emphasizing the role of science in the management process; strengtheningthe Regional Fishery Management Council (RFMC) system and clarifying jurisdictions;expanding the use of dedicated access privileges; improving enforcement; adopting anecosystem-based management approach; and strengthening international management.To strengthen the link between strong science and sustainable fishery management,RFMCs should be required to rely on the peer-reviewed advice of their Scientific andStatistical Committees (SSCs), particularly in setting harvest levels. In particular, anRFMC should not be allowed to approve any measure that exceeds the allowable biologicalcatch recommended by its SSC. Because of their importance in the process, SSC membersshould be nominated by the RFMCs but appointed by the Administrator of NOAA,and their credentials and potential conflicts of interest should be vetted by an externalorganization. An expanded research program is needed that involves fishermen wherepossible and is responsive to managers’ requirements.Several recommendations are made concerning the composition, responsibilities, andjurisdiction of the various federal and interstate fishery management entities. In particular,membership on the RFMCs needs to be diversified and new members should receiveconsistent training in the often arcane vocabulary and policies involved in U.S. fisherymanagement.20 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY