Cool Ocean Stuff! Cool Ocean Stuff!

Rick E. MarksRick E. MarksRobertson, Monagle & EastaughRobertson, Monagle & Eastaugh

PSMFC 2013PSMFC 2013

PSMFC Annual Meeting 2013PSMFC Annual Meeting 2013

National Ocean Policy Update National Ocean Policy Update • FINAL NOP Implementation Plan (4/13); Marine FINAL NOP Implementation Plan (4/13); Marine

Planning Handbook (7/13)Planning Handbook (7/13)

• Focus areas: CMSP, ECOSYSTEM-BASED MGMT, Focus areas: CMSP, ECOSYSTEM-BASED MGMT, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, HABITAT CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION, HABITAT PROTECTION, ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCY & OCEAN PROTECTION, ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCY & OCEAN ACIDIFICATIONACIDIFICATION

• Despite process/statutory uncertainty; Senate letter Despite process/statutory uncertainty; Senate letter of concern; 6 House-passed amendments to defund of concern; 6 House-passed amendments to defund the NOP -- the RPB process continues the NOP -- the RPB process continues

• Senate WRDA incl. “Nat’l Endowment for the Senate WRDA incl. “Nat’l Endowment for the Oceans” Oceans”

• NE & MID regions lead; Pac NW & GOMEX slower; WA NE & MID regions lead; Pac NW & GOMEX slower; WA developing CMSP; Alaska not yet convinced… developing CMSP; Alaska not yet convinced…

NOP: Learning through NOP: Learning through experience… experience… • NOC/RPB convey NOP NOC/RPB convey NOP will not will not create new regulations create new regulations

or supersede existing federal authorities…but RPB or supersede existing federal authorities…but RPB process process willwill inform authorities who inform authorities who mustmust comply with comply with the EO to protect/manage/restore…and this the EO to protect/manage/restore…and this maymay lead lead to new regulations on federally-permitted activities to new regulations on federally-permitted activities

• RPBs have flexibility; likely incorporating Governor’s RPBs have flexibility; likely incorporating Governor’s Agreements into regional plans Agreements into regional plans

• RPBs to develop work plans, charters, data RPBs to develop work plans, charters, data parameters, operating procedures, stakeholder input parameters, operating procedures, stakeholder input mechanismsmechanisms

• States can elect to “opt out” but a plan can still be States can elect to “opt out” but a plan can still be developed for surrounding watersdeveloped for surrounding waters

Climate Change Activities Climate Change Activities

• Final “National Fish, Wildlife, & Plants Climate Final “National Fish, Wildlife, & Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy” (4/13; See Adaptation Strategy” (4/13; See http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/) http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/)

• The new “The new “President’s Climate Action PlanPresident’s Climate Action Plan” (6/13) “is a ” (6/13) “is a broad-based plan to cut the carbon pollution that broad-based plan to cut the carbon pollution that causes climate change and affects public health.” causes climate change and affects public health.” (White House, 6/25/13)(White House, 6/25/13)

• ““Key Pillars”: cut domestic carbon pollution; prepare Key Pillars”: cut domestic carbon pollution; prepare for impacts of climate change; lead international for impacts of climate change; lead international efforts to combat climate changeefforts to combat climate change

• Creation of a WH “Task Force on Climate Creation of a WH “Task Force on Climate Preparedness”Preparedness”

Climate Change in the News…Climate Change in the News…• Everest glaciers melting ~ reduced 13% in past 50 years Everest glaciers melting ~ reduced 13% in past 50 years

(S. Thakuri, Univ. of Milan, 6/13)(S. Thakuri, Univ. of Milan, 6/13)

• CO2 concentration in the atmosphere > 400 ppm for the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere > 400 ppm for the first time in 3 million years (NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory; first time in 3 million years (NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory; 5/13)5/13)

• ““Sea surface temps in North Atlantic highest recorded in Sea surface temps in North Atlantic highest recorded in 150 yrs” (NOAA; 4/13)150 yrs” (NOAA; 4/13)

• UN Report 8/13: “Rising temps 95% human-driven”; UN UN Report 8/13: “Rising temps 95% human-driven”; UN “Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group” supports need to “Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group” supports need to protect marine biodiversity in high seas (8/27/13) protect marine biodiversity in high seas (8/27/13)

• State Dept to convene State Dept to convene “Oceans Under Threat: Charting a “Oceans Under Threat: Charting a Sustainable Future”Sustainable Future” international conference (10/24/13) international conference (10/24/13)

Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)

• MONF3 5/13: platform for reform MONF3 5/13: platform for reform

• NOAA revises NSG2; NSG1 PR expected fall 2014 after series of constituent NOAA revises NSG2; NSG1 PR expected fall 2014 after series of constituent meetingsmeetings

• Data Confidentiality changes pending (77 FR 30486)Data Confidentiality changes pending (77 FR 30486)

• NAS NRC study: “Effectiveness of Stock Rebuilding Plans” NAS NRC study: “Effectiveness of Stock Rebuilding Plans” (http://www.nationalacadamies.com; 9/5/13)(http://www.nationalacadamies.com; 9/5/13)

• GAO Study: NMFS Stock Assessments (est. 3/13)GAO Study: NMFS Stock Assessments (est. 3/13)

• NOAA initiates 1NOAA initiates 1stst year of rolling Science Center peer reviews; Topic #1 -- year of rolling Science Center peer reviews; Topic #1 -- Fishery Stock Assessment Processes (http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/science-Fishery Stock Assessment Processes (http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/science-program-review/index)program-review/index)

MSA Activities: HouseMSA Activities: House• Natural Resources Full Committee Hearing: “NOAA’s Fishery Natural Resources Full Committee Hearing: “NOAA’s Fishery

Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs” (3/13) Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs” (3/13)

• Subcommittee: “Oversight Hearing on Reauthorization of the Subcommittee: “Oversight Hearing on Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act “ (5/21; PSMFC’s R. Fisher testifies)Magnuson-Stevens Act “ (5/21; PSMFC’s R. Fisher testifies)

• Full Committee: “Oversight on the Management of Red Snapper in Full Committee: “Oversight on the Management of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico Under the Magnuson-Steven Act” (7/13)the Gulf of Mexico Under the Magnuson-Steven Act” (7/13)

• Full Committee: MSA Oversight Hearing (9/13)Full Committee: MSA Oversight Hearing (9/13)

• OUTLOOKOUTLOOK: Informed by MONF3; hearings continue; draft reform : Informed by MONF3; hearings continue; draft reform legislation fall 2013; activity to increase after mid-term legislation fall 2013; activity to increase after mid-term elections… elections…

MSA Activities: SenateMSA Activities: Senate

• Senate Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: Senate Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: “Developments and Opportunities in U.S. “Developments and Opportunities in U.S. Fisheries Management” (3/13; PSMFC’s R. Fisher Fisheries Management” (3/13; PSMFC’s R. Fisher testifies) testifies)

• Subcommittee: “Magnuson-Stevens Act Subcommittee: “Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization” (NE & MA Regional focus; 7/13)Reauthorization” (NE & MA Regional focus; 7/13)

• Chairman Begich (AK-D) to hold a series of Chairman Begich (AK-D) to hold a series of regionally-focused hearings (possibly field regionally-focused hearings (possibly field hearings)hearings)

• OUTLOOKOUTLOOK: Hearings continue in 2014-15; a : Hearings continue in 2014-15; a “deliberative & comprehensive” approach; likely “deliberative & comprehensive” approach; likely wait on House action & results of mid-term wait on House action & results of mid-term elections… elections…

Protected Species #1Protected Species #1

• CA Sea Lion (HR 1308; Rep. Hastings WA-R-4th) “Endangered CA Sea Lion (HR 1308; Rep. Hastings WA-R-4th) “Endangered Salmon & Fisheries Predation Prevention Act”) introduced Salmon & Fisheries Predation Prevention Act”) introduced 3/13; hearing 6/13; NOAA permits effective to 5/2016 3/13; hearing 6/13; NOAA permits effective to 5/2016

• AK Sea Otters: SW stable (orca problems), Final Recovery AK Sea Otters: SW stable (orca problems), Final Recovery Plan (78 FR 54905); SC+; SE+2X in 10yrs ~ fishery conflicts Plan (78 FR 54905); SC+; SE+2X in 10yrs ~ fishery conflicts increasing increasing

• Final Report: “Effects of Salmon Fisheries on So. Res. Killer Final Report: “Effects of Salmon Fisheries on So. Res. Killer Whales” (11/12); NOAA/DFO actions pending review Whales” (11/12); NOAA/DFO actions pending review

• NOAA rejects petition to delist So. Res. Killer Whale (8/13)NOAA rejects petition to delist So. Res. Killer Whale (8/13)

• CA Drift Gillnet Fishery to close w/1 sperm whale injury CA Drift Gillnet Fishery to close w/1 sperm whale injury through 1/31/2014 through 1/31/2014

Protected Species #2Protected Species #2• Final Rule: Delist SSL Final Rule: Delist SSL Eastern DPSEastern DPS EXPECTED EXPECTED

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

• SSL SSL Western DPSWestern DPS: 9: 9thth Circuit upholds federal fishing Circuit upholds federal fishing restrictions (7/13)restrictions (7/13)

• NOAA rejects petition to ESA list Ribbon seals (7/13)NOAA rejects petition to ESA list Ribbon seals (7/13)

• Recovery Plan: North Pacific Right Whale (78 FR 34347) Recovery Plan: North Pacific Right Whale (78 FR 34347)

• BSAI Rockfish Trawl Fishery reclassified as Cat. II fishery (from BSAI Rockfish Trawl Fishery reclassified as Cat. II fishery (from III) due to KW interactions (78 FR 23708) III) due to KW interactions (78 FR 23708)

• CA Sea Otters: stable (3yr avg.=2,800); USFWS terminates CA Sea Otters: stable (3yr avg.=2,800); USFWS terminates translocation (77 FR 75266) to allow for “natural range translocation (77 FR 75266) to allow for “natural range expansion” to reach 16,000 animal goal; one limiting factor…expansion” to reach 16,000 animal goal; one limiting factor…white shark predationwhite shark predation

SHARK #1SHARK #1

• Sharks managed by NOAA for legal harvest; Sharks managed by NOAA for legal harvest; practice of “finning” illegal since 2000; Shark practice of “finning” illegal since 2000; Shark Conservation Act 2010 adds protections; CITES Conservation Act 2010 adds protections; CITES 2013 adds 5 commercially-valuable sharks; 2013 adds 5 commercially-valuable sharks; shark meat value +++ shark meat value +++

• NGO global anti-fin campaign morphs to ban NGO global anti-fin campaign morphs to ban legal shark fishing and use of shark productslegal shark fishing and use of shark products

• MD/NY/CA/WA/IL/OR/HI state laws ~ MD/NY/CA/WA/IL/OR/HI state laws ~ inconsistencies with federal law over legally inconsistencies with federal law over legally landed sharks w/fins attached to the carcass landed sharks w/fins attached to the carcass

SHARK #2SHARK #2

• US DOJ files amicus brief in Chinatown Assn. US DOJ files amicus brief in Chinatown Assn. case v. CA/Humane Society (7/13)case v. CA/Humane Society (7/13)

• Several drafts of House resolutions & legislation Several drafts of House resolutions & legislation opposing all use of sharks circulating in opposing all use of sharks circulating in Congress (7/13) Congress (7/13)

• J. Environ Stud Sci (2013) 3:65-73; J. Environ Stud Sci (2013) 3:65-73; Science, Science, policy and the public discourse of shark policy and the public discourse of shark “attack” “attack”

• Shark conservationists press national media to Shark conservationists press national media to decriminalize “shark attacks” decriminalize “shark attacks”

• Activities coincide with “Shark Week 2013” Activities coincide with “Shark Week 2013”

SHARK #3SHARK #3

• NOAA rejects 2 petitions by NGOs to ESA list NOAA rejects 2 petitions by NGOs to ESA list North Pacific white sharks (7/13)North Pacific white sharks (7/13)

• State of CA considering whether to State of CA considering whether to independently list white sharksindependently list white sharks

• Grey seal population triples off Cape Cod, MA Grey seal population triples off Cape Cod, MA attracting large numbers of white sharks, attracting large numbers of white sharks, threatening tourism/fishingthreatening tourism/fishing

• Online NE industry survey concerning mammal Online NE industry survey concerning mammal impacts & MA State grant: researchers impacts & MA State grant: researchers tracking white shark behavior tracking white shark behavior

MMPA “activity”MMPA “activity”• Time for the next critical conversation?Time for the next critical conversation?

• 40-yr law, no amendments in 18 yrs40-yr law, no amendments in 18 yrs

• NGO litigation over PBR; ZMRG next?NGO litigation over PBR; ZMRG next?

• Starving CA sea lions absent OSP determination Starving CA sea lions absent OSP determination

• Mammals negatively impacting ESA salmon & Mammals negatively impacting ESA salmon & mature sturgeon mature sturgeon

• Robust populations interacting with fisheries; Robust populations interacting with fisheries; attracting apex predators to near shore waters attracting apex predators to near shore waters

• State-Tribal State-Tribal jurisdictional issuesjurisdictional issues

• NOP/Ecosystem-Based Management NOP/Ecosystem-Based Management

ESA #1ESA #1• House ESA Working Group formed (5/13) to examine House ESA Working Group formed (5/13) to examine

possible improvements (last reauthorized 1988)possible improvements (last reauthorized 1988)

• Hearings: “Financial Impacts of ESA Lawsuits & Hearings: “Financial Impacts of ESA Lawsuits & Settlements” (3/13); “Defining Species Conservation Settlements” (3/13); “Defining Species Conservation Success: Tribal State and Local Stewardship v. Federal Success: Tribal State and Local Stewardship v. Federal Courtroom Battles & Sue-and-Settle Practices” (6/13); Courtroom Battles & Sue-and-Settle Practices” (6/13); “Transparency and Sound Science Gone Extinct? The “Transparency and Sound Science Gone Extinct? The Impacts of the Obama Administration’s Closed-Door Impacts of the Obama Administration’s Closed-Door Settlements on Endangered Species and People” (8/1)Settlements on Endangered Species and People” (8/1)

• ““I do think it’s important that we move forward with I do think it’s important that we move forward with ESA reform and that we find ways of dealing with ESA reform and that we find ways of dealing with these conflicts in a manner that is not as litigation-these conflicts in a manner that is not as litigation-driven and conflict-ridden as it has been.” DOI Sec. K. driven and conflict-ridden as it has been.” DOI Sec. K. Salazar; 2/15) Salazar; 2/15)

ESA #2ESA #2• USFWS defends settlements as USFWS defends settlements as

“a focus on recovery” “a focus on recovery”

• Spotted owls v. barred owls Spotted owls v. barred owls

• NOAA rejects petition to delist NOAA rejects petition to delist So. OR/No. CA Coho (7/13)So. OR/No. CA Coho (7/13)

• ESA Plan: Lower Columbia ESA Plan: Lower Columbia Chinook (78 FR 41911)Chinook (78 FR 41911)

• Petition to ESA list whale shark Petition to ESA list whale shark rejected (8/13)rejected (8/13)

• USFWS PR to delist Gray Wolf USFWS PR to delist Gray Wolf (78 FR 54614; comments (78 FR 54614; comments 10/28) 10/28)

• NOAA rejects petition to ESA NOAA rejects petition to ESA list 44 species of AK corals list 44 species of AK corals (78 FR 10601; 2/13)(78 FR 10601; 2/13)

• Petition to list “Petition to list “Lolita” Lolita” under under review (4/13) review (4/13)

• NOAA proposes CH for NOAA proposes CH for yelloweye, canary & yelloweye, canary & bocaccio in Puget Sound; bocaccio in Puget Sound; comments due 11/11/13comments due 11/11/13

• Petition: NP Humpbacks a Petition: NP Humpbacks a DPS & Delist? (78 FR 53391; DPS & Delist? (78 FR 53391; comments due 10/28/13)comments due 10/28/13)

ESA #3ESA #3

• Wild Earth Guardians petition NOAA to ESA list Wild Earth Guardians petition NOAA to ESA list 81 marine species 81 marine species using NOP EO as using NOP EO as justification justification (7/13) (7/13)

• Proposed Policy changes pending on what Proposed Policy changes pending on what constitutes “a significant portion of the range”constitutes “a significant portion of the range”

• USFWS/NOAA PR to amend Sec. 7 regulations USFWS/NOAA PR to amend Sec. 7 regulations regarding incidental take statements and use regarding incidental take statements and use of surrogates to express the amount or extent of surrogates to express the amount or extent of anticipated incidental takes (78 FR 54437; of anticipated incidental takes (78 FR 54437; comments due 11/4/13) comments due 11/4/13)

Catch Share #1Catch Share #1• New England IFQ upheld by 1New England IFQ upheld by 1stst Circuit Court of Circuit Court of

Appeals (12/12; New Bedford/Gloucester 2011 Appeals (12/12; New Bedford/Gloucester 2011 case)case)

• West Coast Groundfish IFQ ~ NMFS maintains West Coast Groundfish IFQ ~ NMFS maintains existing allocations for Pacific whiting shore-based existing allocations for Pacific whiting shore-based & mother ship/catcher vessels (4/13)& mother ship/catcher vessels (4/13)

• NOAA re-proposes AK charter halibut catch NOAA re-proposes AK charter halibut catch sharing plan (78 FR 39122; 6/13)sharing plan (78 FR 39122; 6/13)

• GOMEX Sector Separation-Allocation-Litigation-GOMEX Sector Separation-Allocation-Litigation-State Jurisdictional issues complicate IFQ mgmtState Jurisdictional issues complicate IFQ mgmt

Catch Share #2Catch Share #2

• H.R.2646/S.1275: “Revitalizing the Economy of H.R.2646/S.1275: “Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act” to allow refinancing of Fisheries in the Pacific Act” to allow refinancing of 2003 West Coast Groundfish buyback loans (7/13)2003 West Coast Groundfish buyback loans (7/13)

• FY13 CR: Senate rejects House catch share FY13 CR: Senate rejects House catch share prohibition; requires NOAA report on catch share prohibition; requires NOAA report on catch share processes in SA/MID/NE/GOMEX (3/13) processes in SA/MID/NE/GOMEX (3/13)

• 26-Member House letter supporting $0 FY14 26-Member House letter supporting $0 FY14 funding for new IFQs in NE/MID/SA/GOMEX; Nat’l funding for new IFQs in NE/MID/SA/GOMEX; Nat’l fight continues over FY14 funding fight continues over FY14 funding

The Fight Over Your Fork! The Fight Over Your Fork! Eco-Labels & Seafood Eco-Labels & Seafood SustainabilitySustainability

The Fight over Your Fork! The Fight over Your Fork! Eco-Labels & Seafood Eco-Labels & Seafood Sustainability Sustainability • U.S. fishing industry frustrated with NGO eco-U.S. fishing industry frustrated with NGO eco-

labels; approaches NOAA labels; approaches NOAA

• MAFAC recommendations expected fall 2013 MAFAC recommendations expected fall 2013

• Multiple RFMCs support NOAA MSA-based Multiple RFMCs support NOAA MSA-based “sustainability” label“sustainability” label

• HHS/GSA/NPS announce policy to use only NGO-HHS/GSA/NPS announce policy to use only NGO-certified seafood products; triggers national certified seafood products; triggers national industry response w/ Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) in industry response w/ Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) in lead role… lead role…

EPA NPDES Vessel Discharge EPA NPDES Vessel Discharge Permit UpdatePermit Update

• March 2013 EPA issues FINAL “VGP” requirements for March 2013 EPA issues FINAL “VGP” requirements for commercial vessels (incl. commercial fishing/charter commercial vessels (incl. commercial fishing/charter boats) boats) >> 79 ft for incidental/ballast discharges: 79 ft for incidental/ballast discharges: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels

• Effective dates: Ballast discharges 12/19/13; Incidental Effective dates: Ballast discharges 12/19/13; Incidental discharges 12/19/14discharges 12/19/14

• NGOs (NRDC, NWF, NW Environmental Advocates) sue NGOs (NRDC, NWF, NW Environmental Advocates) sue EPA over Final VGP rule (7/13) EPA over Final VGP rule (7/13)

• Final “sVGP “ permit regulations for all vessels < 79ft Final “sVGP “ permit regulations for all vessels < 79ft anticipated fall 2013; effective 12/19/14; litigation??? anticipated fall 2013; effective 12/19/14; litigation???

Aquatic Invasive SpeciesAquatic Invasive Species

• Western State (PSMFC) AIS Western State (PSMFC) AIS Coordinators in DC (3/13)Coordinators in DC (3/13)

• H.R.1823 to add quaggas to H.R.1823 to add quaggas to Lacey Act (4/13)Lacey Act (4/13)

• 21-member AIS House 21-member AIS House letter: FY14 $$ (6/13)letter: FY14 $$ (6/13)

• Rep. Thompson (CA-D-5Rep. Thompson (CA-D-5thth) ) co-founds Invasive Species co-founds Invasive Species Caucus (8/13); 1Caucus (8/13); 1stst mtg mtg 10/13 10/13

• Senate WRDA has $30M Senate WRDA has $30M AIS Columbia River AIS Columbia River Basin provision; House Basin provision; House WRDA activity pending… WRDA activity pending…

• AIS efforts continue ~ AIS efforts continue ~ Lacey Act legislation; Lacey Act legislation; Lake Meade vessel Lake Meade vessel monitoring & monitoring & decontamination; AIS decontamination; AIS funding; Caucus funding; Caucus activities activities

Sanctuaries and such…Sanctuaries and such…

• CA Members (Boxer/Woolsey) lead campaign to CA Members (Boxer/Woolsey) lead campaign to add 2,771 miles to Farallones & Cordell Banks add 2,771 miles to Farallones & Cordell Banks via Presidential Monument Authority (12/12)via Presidential Monument Authority (12/12)

• NOAA PR to amend NMSA regulations & site NOAA PR to amend NMSA regulations & site nomination process (78 FR 5998; 2/13 & 78 FR nomination process (78 FR 5998; 2/13 & 78 FR 38848; 6/28)38848; 6/28)

• CA Pt. Reyes Marine Wilderness Area: Drakes CA Pt. Reyes Marine Wilderness Area: Drakes Bay Oyster Co. vs. NPS in court over 40-yr Bay Oyster Co. vs. NPS in court over 40-yr lease termination (7/13) lease termination (7/13)

• Who manages fishery resources in NMS to be Who manages fishery resources in NMS to be clarified in MSA reform? clarified in MSA reform?

Tribal Issues of InterestTribal Issues of Interest

• White House est. 1White House est. 1stst Council on Native Council on Native American Affairs (6/13)American Affairs (6/13)

• EPA announces $635M EPA announces $635M plan to clean Upper plan to clean Upper Coeur d’Alene River Coeur d’Alene River Basin (9/12)Basin (9/12)

• Sen. Cantwell 1Sen. Cantwell 1stst female female chair of Indian Affairschair of Indian Affairs

• Graffiti of Alcatraz Graffiti of Alcatraz Occupation preserved by Occupation preserved by NPS (1/13) NPS (1/13)

• ““Non-Disparagement of Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons Native American Persons in Trademark Act of in Trademark Act of 2013” to abolish 2013” to abolish Washington, DC NFL team Washington, DC NFL team trademark; litigation trademark; litigation ongoing… ongoing…

• DOC Final Tribal DOC Final Tribal Consultation Policy (6/13; Consultation Policy (6/13; 78 FR 33331) 78 FR 33331)

• DOC issues Draft Tribal DOC issues Draft Tribal Consultation Handbook Consultation Handbook (6/13)(6/13)

PSMFC “Grab Bag” #1PSMFC “Grab Bag” #1• House hearing on DOI’s House hearing on DOI’s

Secretarial Order Secretarial Order implementing “National implementing “National Blueways” initiative to Blueways” initiative to designate/protect designate/protect watersheds (7/13)watersheds (7/13)

• Rep. DeFazio (OR-D-4Rep. DeFazio (OR-D-4thth) ) Ranking Member, House Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Natural Resources CommitteeCommittee

• ANS TF completes 5-yr ANS TF completes 5-yr Strategic Plan (2013-Strategic Plan (2013-2017); See 2017); See http://anstaskforce.gov http://anstaskforce.gov

• USCG termination of 2182kHz USCG termination of 2182kHz watchkeeping effective 8/1/13 watchkeeping effective 8/1/13 (78 FR 42102(78 FR 42102

• NW Fishery Science Ctr 3-5 yr NW Fishery Science Ctr 3-5 yr Strategic Science Plan (7/13) Strategic Science Plan (7/13)

• $25 fee: Nat’l Saltwater $25 fee: Nat’l Saltwater Angler Registry (8/1/13)Angler Registry (8/1/13)

• S.267/S.269: IUU & S.267/S.269: IUU & International Fisheries International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Stewardship and Enforcement Acts moved by Commerce Acts moved by Commerce Committee (7/13) Committee (7/13)

PSMFC “Grab Bag” #2PSMFC “Grab Bag” #2

• NGOs lose “forage” fish lawsuit NGOs lose “forage” fish lawsuit in SF District Court (appealed; in SF District Court (appealed; 4/13)4/13)

• NOAA Draft 5-yr R&D plan (6/13)NOAA Draft 5-yr R&D plan (6/13)

• GAO Final Report on merging GAO Final Report on merging NMFS-FWS (2/13)NMFS-FWS (2/13)

• New CA Marine Protected Areas New CA Marine Protected Areas (12/12)(12/12)

• Navy to add 8 to Ocean Navy to add 8 to Ocean Research AP (8/13)Research AP (8/13)

• NOAA completes Allocation NOAA completes Allocation Report (1/13) Report (1/13)

• Consolidation of NOAA’s West Consolidation of NOAA’s West Coast Regional Offices (not Coast Regional Offices (not science ctrs) underway science ctrs) underway

• Bills to address GE fish issues Bills to address GE fish issues H.R.584 (Rep. Young) & S.246 H.R.584 (Rep. Young) & S.246 (Sen. Begich) 2/13(Sen. Begich) 2/13

• Law of the Sea Treaty sinks in Law of the Sea Treaty sinks in the Senate (7/13)the Senate (7/13)

PSMFC “Grab Bag” #3PSMFC “Grab Bag” #3

• NOAA report: sport fishing NOAA report: sport fishing has highest number of has highest number of lightening strike lightening strike mortalities (6/13)mortalities (6/13)

• H.R. 753 (Rep. Young-AK) H.R. 753 (Rep. Young-AK) to prohibit EEZ finfish to prohibit EEZ finfish aquaculture operations aquaculture operations absent permitting absent permitting legislationlegislation

• USDA National webinar: USDA National webinar: “Offshore Aquaculture “Offshore Aquaculture and the MSA” (6/28)and the MSA” (6/28)

• Peter Buffet on Peter Buffet on charitable colonialism & charitable colonialism & conscience laundering conscience laundering (http://www.nytimes.com(http://www.nytimes.com/2013//07/27/opinion/the/2013//07/27/opinion/the-charitiable-industrial--charitiable-industrial-complex.html)complex.html)