William J. Douros, Director, West Coast Region, National Marine Sanctuary Program, NOAA
"What is a National Marine Sanctuary"

William Douros began his presentation with an overview of the federal legislation for establishing marine sanctuaries, as administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Of the 14 sanctuaries around the country, five are in the West Coast Region.

Douros defined sanctuaries as: “Areas of the marine environment which have special conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archaeological, or esthetic qualities.” In managing such areas, consideration is given to the protection of multiple marine habitats, regulations that target broad threats (e.g., discharge), and preservation of compatible human uses and ocean services.

Douros went on to say that the regulated activities include: discharging into sanctuary waters; alteration of the sea bed; disturbing marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds; and removing historical resources such as oil and gas production. And, of most interest to the fishing industry, none of the West Coast sites have fishing regulations.

Sanctuaries are managed with partnerships among multiple agencies at the local, state, and federal level—as well as with stakeholders—resulting in Sanctuary Advisory Councils.

In designating a sanctuary, Douros explained that states maintain authority in state waters (three miles off shore), with states directly involved in the designating process. Since Oregon has a great interest in wave energy, Douros declared that such installations are not incompatible with a sanctuary.

Dr. Patty Burke, Manager, Marine Resources Program, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
Appearing on behalf of Mike Carrier, Governor Kulongoski's Natural Resources Policy Director
"The Governor’s Proposal"

Dr. Burke, substituting for Mike Carrier who was called out of state and could not attend, presented the Governor’s goal for Oregon’s ocean, namely: To secure the long-term health and stewardship of Oregon’s ocean ecosystems, resources, and ocean-related economy. The process will require new state-federal partnerships and must be consistent with the findings of the two national ocean commissions on the need for a regional, ecosystem-based approach.

The three West Coast Governors recently agreed to work together on a regional approach to ocean health. The three states anticipate collaboration on the planning, management and governance of ocean policy by a) sharing lessons learned; b) expanding scientific and educational efforts; c) coordinating management strategies; and d) engaging the federal government.

The Governors have already sent a joint message supporting the moratorium on offshore oil and gas development. Further, they call upon the President and Congress to provide sufficient funding to address non-point source pollution. They also support a regional research plan, seeking assistance for projects such as ocean observations and sea floor and habitat mapping.

Here in the state, the Governor has asked the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) to implement its 2002 recommendation to establish a limited system of marine reserves.

Further, he has asked OPAC for advice on designating a National Marine Sanctuary off the Oregon coast. OPAC is expected to provide a “status report” to the Governor by the end of the year.

Scott McMullen, Chair, Ocean Policy Advisory Council, and Oregon Fisherman’s Cable Committee
"Feedback from OPAC’s Scoping Process"

Scott McMullen opened his remarks by reviewing the Governor’s request for OPAC to provide information concerning an Oregon Coast National Marine Sanctuary to and from coastal residents, local governments, coastal tribes, the fishing community, and other ocean users. Further, to advise appropriate areas for sanctuaries, if any.

In their study, McMullen said they have heard such things as sanctuaries will bring research money to Oregon, that oil and gas development will be stopped, and dredging and shipping issues must be studied. Most sanctuaries start small with modest staff, and as they mature, additional staff is hired. On the other hand, there is a federal moratorium on new sanctuaries due to funding limitations.

He said that conservation groups support the Governor’s principles of ocean stewardship as they believe in ecosystem-based management. For this reason, they are more interested in marine reserves than national marine sanctuaries.

Of most importance to McMullen is the potential loss of fishing with any new state or federal regulations. Already, there are restricted conservation areas which make fishing off-limits—areas that fluctuate according to circumstances and the time of year. Other areas are also closed to bottom trawling.

Speaking on behalf of the Cable Committee, McMullen said that cable owners need predictability and manageability since sanctuaries create an expensive and unpredictable environment for them.

Luncheon Keynote Address

Laura Cantral, The Meridian Institute, Washington D.C.
“The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative: Progress and Prospects for a National Ocean Policy”

To capitalize on the momentum generated by the work of the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, in 2004, Commissioners formed the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. The Joint Initiative is a collaborative, bipartisan effort to accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform.

As principal staff, Laura Cantral stated: “The health of our oceans is critically important—important because it is about life itself, important because it is about our spirit, and about our future. Problems are exacerbated by the fact that our system of ocean governance is broken. What we have is a dysfunctional, out-of-date, and inadequate system of ocean and coastal governance at the national level.”

In a “report card” issued by the Initiative, an A- was given to the initial response in 2004 by the President, Congress, and the Governors regarding the two Commission reports. Last year, the promising ocean governance efforts underway in a number of regions and states scored a B-. And a C+ was given the broad bipartisan support garnered for a Senate bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act. All other subjects received a less than passing grade: the national ocean governance reform; research/science/education; international leadership; and new funding for ocean programs.

Cantral declared that there is hope. Important achievements are being made at the regional and state level, she said. The Joint Initiative also commends the efforts of the Administration to address ocean policy and believes there is a real opportunity to build bipartisan coalitions to address this crisis our oceans are facing. She cited the President’s recent designation of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a National Monument.

Earlier this year, the Joint Initiative received a request for input from a bipartisan group of ten Senators. On June 13, that report was delivered, From Sea to Shining Sea, outlining those top priorities, which can be summarized as follow:

• Reforming ocean governance at the national level.
• Support for regional approaches to ocean governance.
• Acceding to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Reforming fisheries management.
• Enhancing capacity for science, research and education.
• Providing adequate funding for ocean science and management programs.

Cantral closed by saying there is a real opportunity to build bipartisan coalitions of leadership to address this crisis our oceans are facing. States like Oregon, its neighbors to the north and south are demonstrating that leadership.