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

Chapter 18: Reducing Marine DebrisRecommendation 18–1The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should establish a marine debrismanagement program that expands on and complements the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency’s program in this area. The NOAA program should be closely coordinated with EPA’sactivities, as well as with the significant efforts conducted by private citizens, state, local, andnongovernmental organizations.Recommendation 18–2The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency should coordinate and implement expanded marine debris control efforts, including:enforcement of existing laws; public outreach and education; partnerships with local governments,community groups, and industry; monitoring and identification; and research.Recommendation 18–3The National Ocean Council (NOC) should re-establish an interagency marine debris committee,co-chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, and placed under the oversight of the NOC’s Committee on OceanResource Management.Recommendation 18–4The U.S. Department of State and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, workingwith the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and other appropriate entities,should develop a detailed plan of action to address derelict fishing gear around theworld, to be implemented within large multi-national regions.Recommendation 18–5The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should work with all interested parties,governmental and private, to implement incentives or other effective programs for prevention,removal, and safe disposal of derelict fishing gear.Recommendation 18–6The U.S. Department of State should increase efforts internationally to ensure that there areadequate port reception facilities available for disposal of garbage from ships, particularly inSpecial Areas designated under Annex V of the International Convention for the Preventionof Pollution from Ships.Chapter 19: Achieving Sustainable FisheriesRecommendation 19–1Congress should amend the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act(MSFCMA) and related statutes to require Regional Fishery Management Councils (RFMCs)and interstate fisheries commissions to rely on their Scientific and Statistical Committees(SSCs), incorporating SSC findings and advice into the decision-making process. In keepingwith this stronger role, SSC members should meet more stringent scientific and conflict ofinterest requirements, and receive compensation.To ensure a strengthened SSC, MSFCMA amendments should require the following:• Each RFMC should nominate candidates for service on its SSC. Nominees should be scientistswith strong technical credentials and experience, selected from federal, state, ortribal governments or academia. Private sector scientists who are technically qualifiedmay also be nominated if they meet the conflict of interest requirements, although theSSC should not be constituted as a representational body.502 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY