11.07.2015 Views

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

levels, <strong>the</strong> degree of cooperation is uneven and can vary considerably over time, evenwithin <strong>the</strong> same geographic area.At <strong>the</strong> national level, a jointly developed strategic plan <strong>for</strong> federal fishery en<strong>for</strong>cementcan provide a framework <strong>for</strong> prioritizing common goals and identifying cooperativeen<strong>for</strong>cement policies. At <strong>the</strong> regional level, existing agency training centers can be given abroader role as <strong>for</strong>ums <strong>for</strong> NMFS, Coast Guard, and state en<strong>for</strong>cement personnel to sharein<strong>for</strong>mation specific to a particular fishery, and to identify opportunities <strong>for</strong> more effectiveresource utilization. At <strong>the</strong> regional and local levels, a stronger and more consistentprocess can be developed <strong>for</strong> joint planning and implementation of fishery en<strong>for</strong>cementoperations. Streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> national, regional, and local frameworks should lead tobetter resource utilization and en<strong>for</strong>cement.Recommendation 19–18The National Marine Fisheries Service and <strong>the</strong> U.S. Coast Guard should streng<strong>the</strong>n cooperativeen<strong>for</strong>cement ef<strong>for</strong>ts at <strong>the</strong> national level by developing a unified strategic plan <strong>for</strong> fisheryen<strong>for</strong>cement that includes significantly increased joint training, and at <strong>the</strong> regional andlocal levels, by developing a stronger and more consistent process <strong>for</strong> sharing in<strong>for</strong>mationand coordinating en<strong>for</strong>cement.Technology <strong>for</strong> En<strong>for</strong>cementVessel Monitoring SystemVessel monitoring is now an accepted part of fishery management worldwide and is endorsedby <strong>the</strong> United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct <strong>for</strong> ResponsibleFisheries. Since its initial implementation in 1988, <strong>the</strong> Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) hasdramatically increased <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of limited fishery en<strong>for</strong>cement resources.Ships equipped with VMS transmit accurate Global Positioning System data viasatellite to monitoring centers ashore. This in<strong>for</strong>mation identifies specific vessels and<strong>the</strong>ir precise locations. When fully implemented, <strong>the</strong> system can also provide in<strong>for</strong>mationuseful to law en<strong>for</strong>cement, maritime security, safety ef<strong>for</strong>ts, environmental protection, andresource management.VMS can be configured <strong>for</strong> two-way communications to enable vessels to receivepertinent safety and en<strong>for</strong>cement in<strong>for</strong>mation from observing parties onshore, such aswea<strong>the</strong>r alerts and safety broadcasts <strong>for</strong> vessels in potentially hazardous circumstances.In emergencies, <strong>the</strong> Coast Guard can pinpoint <strong>the</strong> location of a stricken vessel and communicatedirectly with it and o<strong>the</strong>r boats in <strong>the</strong> area through two-way VMS links. TwowayVMS allows fishermen to be in constant contact with o<strong>the</strong>r fishermen, en<strong>for</strong>cementpersonnel, and fleet operators. Because <strong>the</strong>ir position can be verified, fishermen can remainon scene longer prior to fishery closures, ra<strong>the</strong>r than having to depart <strong>the</strong> area as is oftencurrently required. The extension of VMS monitoring to state fisheries could also be useful,particularly <strong>for</strong> vessels wanting to operate legally in state waters adjacent to closedfederal waters.Beyond <strong>the</strong> benefits to fishermen and <strong>the</strong> potential benefits to scientific researchthrough <strong>the</strong> transmission of near real-time data, two-way VMS is a useful system <strong>for</strong>en<strong>for</strong>cement and management personnel. En<strong>for</strong>cement personnel can protect resourcesby preventing potential fishery violations, and VMS can save <strong>the</strong> Coast Guard and NMFStime and money spent in en<strong>for</strong>cement actions. The system provides <strong>the</strong> Coast Guard andNMFS a broader awareness of ships as <strong>the</strong>y approach restricted areas, enabling <strong>the</strong> agenciesto in<strong>for</strong>m a fishing vessel that it is about to enter a protected area. Sensors can also beadded to fishing gear, allowing VMS to indicate when a vessel is actively fishing. Managerscan also use VMS system capabilities <strong>for</strong> daily catch and ef<strong>for</strong>t in<strong>for</strong>mation used in quotamanagement, and can ga<strong>the</strong>r o<strong>the</strong>r data, such as temperature, depth, and salinity, toin<strong>for</strong>m broader fishery management planning decisions.C HAPTER 19: ACHIEVING S USTAINABLE F ISHERIES293

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!