From: House of Representatives on Natural Resources Committee
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March 28, 2012
Congressional Hearing on “Alaska’s Sovereignty In Peril: The National Ocean Policy’s Goal to Federalize Alaska”
March 22, 2012
UD study assesses ocean use off Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey coasts (Physorg)
From PhysOrg
by Teresa Messmore
The Center for Carbon-Free Power Integration (CCPI) at the University of Delaware has issued a new report about ocean use off the coast of Delaware and parts of Maryland and New Jersey. The study addresses viable places to locate offshore wind farms, taking into account biological, ecological and other considerations. The report includes feedback from interested groups who attended a November 2011 workshop, as well as input from experts.
March 12, 2012
Draft map of protected marine areas thrown out (New Zealand Herald)
From: New Zealand Herald
By: Wayne Thompson
A map dotted with marine protection areas for investigation will be wiped from the Auckland Plan after public protests about popular fishing spots being tagged without consultation.
However, Auckland Council’s guide for 30 years’ growth still leaves the door open to add to the Super City’s five marine reserves – albeit with proof that a marine ecosystem is under stress.
A prime candidate is the rocky coastline from Manukau Heads to Muriwai – the habitat of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin.
March 5, 2012
Scuba Diving industry critical of Obama Administration’s National Ocean Policy (Scuba Diving Examiner)
From: Scuba Diving Examiner
By: Scott Jones
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), representing the industry scuba diving industry, Tuesday submitted comments on the National Ocean Policy draft Implementation Plan.
As part of President Obama’s National Ocean Policy impacting all US Federal waters and the Great Lakes, the National Ocean Council released this draft Implementation Plan as a means by which the NOC intends to implement nine separate and overarching objectives of the Policy. The comments were submitted by Tom Ingram, DEMA’s Executive Director, who sits on the National Ocean Council’s panel of recreational users, on behalf of the diving industry.
In the submitted comments the dive industry expressed concern that the plan as presented could harm individuals and communities which depend on economic contributions from aquatic-oriented activities and more harm could come to environmental resources if collecting the necessary scientific information is not made the first priority. The plan currently calls for first creating new layers of bureaucracy.
“While noting the administrative buildup, the plan incorporates inadequate congressional oversight,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “There is scant incorporation of coastal, lake and ocean user groups. The plan calls for establishing federal “zoning” boards and regulations which will likely hamper the growth of commercial and recreational interests, while excluding many of these groups from discussion.”
“In addition, the plan itself acknowledges that there are already conflicts with existing federal laws which must be resolved before moving forward. These issues are likely to undo productive legislative efforts of the past and create legislative and bureaucratic conflicts which delay implementation and create additional economic uncertainty.”
Ingram concluded “The dive industry recommends a balanced approach to preserving the health of aquatic resources, and to maintaining the public’s right to access to aquatic and submerged cultural resources. DEMA also advocates the need for having sound, peer-reviewed and unbiased science and economic research prior to implementation of the National Ocean Policy. As the National Ocean Policy was created by Executive Order (13547), we strongly suggest that the Policy and this Implementation Plan should have considerable Congressional oversight.”
The dive industry looks forward to constructively engaging with the present Administration in helping to create a balanced perspective and policy which acknowledges the needs to all user groups as well as the need to protect aquatic resources.
On February 27 the National Ocean Council extended the public comment period on the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan through March 28, 2012.
February 16, 2012
Webinar on Ocean Zoning & Stakeholder Involvement
It’s Everyone’s Ocean: Incorporating Stakeholders in Marine Spatial Planning
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
February 28, 2012
1:00 – 2:00pm Eastern
Efforts at Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) have been gaining momentum around the U.S. in recent years. These projects involve addressing various uses of our marine and coastal waters – including fishing, tourism, transportation, offshore renewable energy, and others – and so need to incorporate user groups and other stakeholders in the process. Stakeholders have participated in these planning exercises to various degrees. One case study, the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP) will be discussed, including efforts at including stakeholders, lessons learned, and ongoing initiatives to engage stakeholders in the process of implementation. Recommendations for agencies and groups wishing to engage stakeholders in Marine Spatial Planning in the future will be discussed.