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Pew Oceans Commission Messaging Background
Key Report Positioning Points
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§ The independent report from the Pew Commission is the first top-to-bottom study of America’s coastal and ocean waters since the Stratton Commission’s report to Congress in 1969 – more than 30 years ago – that led to the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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§ The Commission found overwhelming scientific evidence that the oceans’ ecosystems—the coral reefs, kelp forests, estuaries, and wetlands—are in a state of collapse.
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§ Commissioners sought the views and heard public testimony of a broad spectrum of people – scientists, fishermen, conservationists, governors, and business leaders -- that the economic, ecological, and cultural benefits the oceans provide are at risk. At the heart of the problem is a failure to responsibly manage our activities in the oceans and along the coasts.
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§ Over the past two years, members of the independent Pew Oceans Commission traveled across the country, where they found a groundswell of support for new approaches to protecting ocean life.
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§ This report offers a blueprint for responsible management of ocean ecosystems and ocean life so that future generations may enjoy clean beaches, healthful seafood, abundant ocean life, and thriving coastal communities.
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§ Additionally, later this year the US Oceans Commission will also report to the President and Congress
ü Like two pieces of a puzzle, these reports bring us up-to-date on the last 30 years of change in marine life and habitats as well as changes in human practices that affect the oceans.
ü The independent Pew Commission has had the opportunity of focusing on one set of issues, the health of living marine resources, in detail.
ü The government US Commission on Ocean Policy is looking at a broad array of issues, including transportation and port development.
ü Together, hopefully, they will provide a complementary and comprehensive set of recommendations for the future of US ocean policy, which the Congress and the President will duly consider and act on.
Key Message Points
Background-
· First independent national commission on oceans in 30 years
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· Oceans Act/President’s Commission on Ocean Policy
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· 18 commissioners: elected officials, scientists, reps of business, fishing, philanthropic, environmental communities
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· Leon Panetta, chair; former congressman and White House chief of staff
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· Four committees: governance, pollution, fishing, coastal development
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· Public hearings from Hawaii to Maine, Alaska to Louisiana
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· Stakeholder meetings, focus groups
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· Seven science reports
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· Four overarching consensus conclusions
Comprehensive Recommendations in Six Areas:
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· Governance
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· Area-based management
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· Fisheries
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· Coastal Development
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· Pollution
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· Aquaculture
Conclusions in Four Key Areas
Oceans in rapid decline and current management structures inadequate
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· Greatest threat; fishing (overfishing, bycatch, habitat destruction)
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· Non-point source pollution
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· Loss of wetlands/perverse development incentives
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· Governance a jurisdictional nightmare
Conclusion: Oceans as a Public Trust-
· Similar to our public lands
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· Hardin – “Tragedy of the Commons”
Conclusion: Manage on an ecosystem basis
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· Current management; individual problems in isolation
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· Ecosystem impacts ignored
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· Fisheries management
Conclusion: Understand land/sea connection
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· Ignoring impacts of actions on land
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· Salmon; dead zones
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· Agricultural, energy, development policies on land
Overview of Recommendations in Six Key Areas
Governance Recommendations
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· National Ocean Policy Act
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· National Oceans Agency
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· National Oceans Council
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· Federal/state partnership; regional
Area-based Management Recommendations
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· Ocean Zoning at the regional level
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· National system of marine reserves
Fisheries Recommendations
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· Redefine purpose of fishery policy
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· Separate conservation and allocation
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· Replace open access regime
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· Access and allocation planning a condition of fishing
Coastal Development Recommendations
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· Identify, protect critical habitat
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· Control pollution
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· Growth management measures
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· Reorient government programs, subsidies
Pollution Recommendations
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· Focus on non-point source pollution
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· Address unabated point sources
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· Emerging, non-traditional sources (e.g. invasives, acoustic)
Aquaculture Recommendations
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· National marine aquaculture policy
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· International leadership
To Read the Media Advisory regarding the press conference to unveil the commissions report click here
To Read the List of Commissioners click here
To Read It's Not Too Late To Save Our Oceans click here
To read statistics by state >>>href="/state_stats_may03.xls">Click Here
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