Marine Science in Alaska: 2005 Symposium

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & AtmosphereNOAA AdministratorJanuary 24, 2005

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NOAA’s Mission

To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.

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NOAA’s Mission Goals

Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem management

Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond

Serve society’s needs for weather and water information

Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation

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NOAA Infrastructure in Alaska

Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute

FAIRWEATHER OSCAR DYSON

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DYSON Sound Profile at 11 kn, relative to ICES

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M/V SELENDANG AYU

NOAA’s effortsS Aerial observationsS MappingS Weather forecastsS Trajectory forecasts (oil)S Coordinate environmental issuesS Satellite and remote sensing data

Affected Fisheries and wildlife

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Administration’s Response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

December 17, 2004

Executive Order: Committee on Ocean Policy

U.S. Ocean Action Plan

http://ocean.ceq.gov

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Committee on Ocean Policy

Will advise President and agency heads on policies concerning ocean-related matters

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U.S. Ocean Action Plan

Summarizes the Administration’s actions undertaken since the Commission’s report was drafted

Identifies additional near-term actions that provide direction for ocean policy

Outlines comprehensive, long-term actions for the future

Improves governance between Federal, state, local and tribal authorities

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Ecosystem Definitions

An ecosystem is a geographically specified system of organisms (including humans), the environment, and the processes that control its dynamics

Ecosystem approach to management:S AdaptiveS Regionally directedS Takes account of ecosystem knowledgeS Takes account of uncertaintyS Considers multiple external influencesS Strives to balance diverse societal objectives

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CA/OR Drift Gillnet Fishery

Leatherback Closed AreaS Annually August - November

Loggerhead Closed AreaS June-August during El Niño years

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North Pacific Climate Regimes and Ecosystem Productivity (NPCREP)

Climate change is affecting pollock distribution, recruitment & harvests

Those changes affect costs of fishing operations

New predators introduced

Seal & walrus habitat lost

Whale feeding grounds move

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• Moorings 1985 - 2004

NPCREP and Observations

Biophysical monitoring network provides assessments and predictions:

Qualitative – provides general conclusions about the status and trends of the ecosystem

Quantitative – provides specific conclusions on status and trends of populations

These decision support tools used by North Pacific FMC

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Source: Gulf of Alaska Environmental Monitoring System

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Indian Ocean Tsunami World-Wide Effects

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U.S. Plan For An Improved Tsunami Monitoring System

$37.5M over next 2 years

Enable enhanced monitoring, detection, warning & communications throughout

32 advanced technology DART buoys

Nearly 100% coverage for U.S. coastal tsunami

Expanded monitoring capability throughout Pacific & Caribbean basins

Part of future global observation & global tsunami warning systems