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

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Recommendation 19–16Congress should repeal all programs that encourage overcapitalization of fishing fleets,including <strong>the</strong> Fisheries Finance Program (<strong>for</strong>merly <strong>the</strong> Fishing Vessel Obligation GuaranteeProgram) and those sections of <strong>the</strong> Capital Construction Fund that apply to fisheries. TheNational <strong>Ocean</strong>ic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should take appropriate steps topermanently reduce fishing capacity to sustainable levels.The following actions will assist in reducing overcapitalization in fisheries:• to <strong>the</strong> maximum extent practicable, capacity reduction programs should be funded bythose who profit from <strong>the</strong>m—<strong>the</strong> fishermen remaining in <strong>the</strong> fishery.• federal contributions to capacity reduction programs should only be made whereadditional ef<strong>for</strong>t is prohibited from entering <strong>the</strong> fishery. The highest priority <strong>for</strong> publicfunding of capacity reduction should be given to fisheries that grant dedicated accessprivileges to participants.• NOAA should monitor capacity reduction programs to determine whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y aremeeting <strong>the</strong>ir objectives and to ensure that vessels removed from U.S. fisheries do notcontribute to overcapitalization in o<strong>the</strong>r nations.• fishermen should be allowed to transfer existing Capital Construction Fund accounts intoIndividual Retirement Accounts or o<strong>the</strong>r appropriate financial instruments that do notpromote overcapitalization.Recommendation 19–17The National Marine Fisheries Service should expand its use of Joint En<strong>for</strong>cement Agreementsto implement cooperative fisheries en<strong>for</strong>cement programs with state agencies. The U.S. CoastGuard should also be included as an important participant in such agreements.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.Recommendation 19–19The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), working with <strong>the</strong> Regional Fishery ManagementCouncils (RFMCs), <strong>the</strong> U.S. Coast Guard, and o<strong>the</strong>r appropriate entities, should maximize <strong>the</strong>use of <strong>the</strong> Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) <strong>for</strong> fishery-related activities. VMS with two-waycommunication capability and o<strong>the</strong>r features that assist personnel in monitoring andresponding to potential violations should be required over time <strong>for</strong> all commercial fishingvessels receiving permits under federal fishery plans, including party and charter boats thatcarry recreational fishermen. NMFS and RFMCs, working with state representatives, shouldalso identify state fisheries that could significantly benefit from VMS implementation.Recommendation 19–20The U.S. Coast Guard should manage <strong>the</strong> integration of a fishery Vessel Monitoring System(VMS) database into <strong>the</strong> larger maritime operations database and should work with <strong>the</strong>National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure effective use of VMS data <strong>for</strong> monitoring anden<strong>for</strong>cement.506 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY

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