MPA Federal Advisory Committee - FAC Meeting Minutes

Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
September 21-23, 2004
Maui, Hawai’i

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2004

The Committee Convened at 8:06 AM

Meeting Opening

Meeting participants were greeted by Kimokeo Kapahulehua and his group, who provided a traditional Hawai’ian welcome to the Committee.

Lauren Wenzel, Designated Federal Officer, opened the meeting and turned the meeting over to Chair Dan Bromley. Dr. Bromley asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the April 2004 meeting. George Lapointe moved that the minutes be approved; Gil Radonski seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

Dr. Bromley welcomed Dr. Brian Melzian as a new ex officio member of the Committee representing the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Dr. Melzian introduced himself and described some of the key responsibilities of the US EPA as they relate to marine management, including the agency’s participation on the National Oceanographic Partnership, which is overseeing the development of an Integrated Ocean Observing System.

Lauren Wenzel reviewed the agenda.

Updates from NOAA and Interior
Lauren Wenzel provided a brief summary of recent activities by the MPA Center, key initiatives for 2005, and the role of the FAC in 2005.

Dr. Charles Wahle gave a presentation on “Developing the Comprehensive National System of Marine Protected Areas.” His presentation addressed the need for the national system of MPAs, the benefits of the system, and the process through which it will be developed. There were several questions from members, which were deferred until the end of the day in order to keep to the agenda.

Beth Burkhard from the Minerals Management Service reported that MMS will list sites in the Marine Managed Areas Inventory. Subcommittee 1 had asked whether MMS planning areas and lease blocks would be listed as MMAs. The current thinking within MMS is that they will not, because they are not managed for conservation purposes.

Charges to Subcommittees
Dr. Bromley reminded the Subcommittees that they would have an hour to meet and plan their presentations to the full Committee. He asked that Committee members provide comments to each Subcommittee on key issues, and that wordsmithing be handled by providing written comments to the Subcommittee or visiting with Subcommittees during Subcommittee meeting time throughout the day.

Subcommittees Met, 9:15-10:06

Full Committee Reconvened at 10:06
Each of the three Subcommittees (National System of MPAs; (2) Stewardship and Effectiveness; and (3) National and Regional Coordination of MPA Efforts) had approximately 50 minutes to report on their work and receive comments. (See Thursday for a description of Subcommittee products.)

Subcommittees Met, 1:11-2:40

Full Committee Reconvened at 2:40

Panel Presentation: Culture and the Sea
Presentations were heard from Craig Severance, of the University of Hawai’i Anthropology Department; William Aila, a Hawai’ian fisherman; and Ed Glazier, Director of Research at Impact Assessment Inc. Dr. Severance described the social characteristics of populations in Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. He discussed the importance of fish for sharing, festivals and other cultural practices in each of the jurisdictions.

Mr. Aila gave the Committee a traditional Hawai’ian welcome. He discussed fishing traditions on the western side of Oahu, and the history of marine tenure in Hawai’i. He emphasized the importance of bringing users into the MPA planning process from the beginning, ensuring that management is flexible and reflects community character, and not expecting overnight results from MPAs.

Dr. Glazier discussed the role of social science in describing how societies work and the relationships of people to the natural world. He gave examples from Hawai’i and Alaska of how people use marine resources as an integral part of local culture. He also described social science research methods, which are used to determine which groups use a specific area, how they used it historically and currently, what rules govern its use, and what effects could result from imposing external restrictions.

Public Comments
Public comments were heard from:

• Linda Paul, Hawai’i Audubon Society; Northwest Hawai’ian Islands Reserve Council
• Thorne Abbott, Coastalzone.com
• Hannah Bernard, Sierra club National Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee
• Diane Shepherd, self
• Robert Wintner, Snorkel Bob’s

Discussion of Presentation on the National System of MPAs
Comments and questions on Dr. Wahle’s earlier presentation on the national system of MPAs included:

• Whether the national system implied that all sites should be multiple-use (concern about possible loss of protection for some sites)
• Linkages between regional MPA networks and the national system
• Differences between marine managed areas and marine protected areas
• What are the goals and objectives of the national system?
• Why do we need a national system? What are the incentives for states to be involved?

Dr. Wahle responded to questions and comments, and the meeting adjourned for the day at 5:08 PM.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

Committee Convened 8:06 AM
Dr. Bromley asked each subcommittee to think about the presentations on culture and to assess cultural issues within the issues they are considering. There was some discussion about cultural issues under consideration by each Subcommittee.

Subcommittees Met, 8:40-12:30
In addition to the three standing Subcommittees, an ad hoc Subcommittee on Cultural Resources chaired by Bonnie McCay met from 12:30-2:00.

Full Committee Reconvened, 2:04
The Committee received progress reports from each of the three Subcommittees.

Panel Presentation: Fishery Management Councils
Dave Benton introduced the panelists from four regional fishery management councils: Roy Morioka, Western Pacific FMC; Eugenio Pinero-Soler, Caribbean FMC; Dan Waldeck, Pacific FMC; and Stephanie Madsen, North Pacific FMC. Roy Morioka discussed the importance of fisheries for subsistence and culture in the Western Pacific; the development of the Western Pacific FMC’s MPA Policy; and existing MPAs in the region. He also described the council process, which depends on consensus and involves key interested parties. Eugenio Pinero-Soler discussed marine protected areas for habitat conservation in the Caribbean, and the importance of establishing marine reserves in conjunction with conventional fisheries management measures. Dan Waldeck discussed cooperative efforts of the Pacific FMC with the MPA Center and NOAA Fisheries. These include integrating MPA Science into Council fishery management, working with National Marine Sanctuaries, and completing a white paper on Marine Reserves. Stephanie Madsen provided an overview of MPAs in the North Pacific, including the five types of MPAs and their objectives, and the science-based stakeholder process used to establish MPAs. All FMCs emphasized the importance of considering MPAs within the context of existing fisheries management efforts.

A discussion period followed the panel.

The committee adjourned for the day at 5:15.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004

Committee Reconvened, 8:05 AM

Public Comments
Public comments were heard from:

• Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Maui Fishpond Association
• Craig Severance, self
• Jim Walsh, Malama Kai
• Rob Parsons, County of Maui
• Robert Wintner, Snorkel Bob’s
• Isaac Harp, ‘Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition
• Tammy Harp, self
• Athlene Clark, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (on behalf of Peter Young, Chairperson)

Pacific Island MPA Panel
Terry O’Halloran introduced the four panelists discussing Pacific Island MPA management: Apelu Aiatato, American Samoa; Delegate Noah Idechong, Palau; Captain Jim Coon, Trilogy Excursions; and Don Palawski of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Alelu Aiatato is a high talking chief in American Samoa. He presented Chairman Bromley with a staff, whisk and kava bowl in recognition of his leadership role on the Committee. Mr. Aiatato then gave a presentation on traditional marine management is used to harvest schools of mackerel near the village of Fagasa. Delegate Noah Idechong discussed the development of a system of MPAs in Palau based on traditional local closures. Twenty-one locally-managed MPAs have been established through a bottom-up process. Captain Jim Coon described his family’s odyssey from extractive resource users (big game and fishing guides) to non-extractive (eco-tourism), and the evolution of ocean tourism to a more sustainable and stable business that helps support community, culture and commerce. Don Palawski described the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s refuge complex in the Pacific. He emphasized the need for international and regional coordination in the Pacific; the critical importance of Pacific MPAs in helping to protect global biological diversity; the importance of education in strengthening stewardship and management; and the need to integrate cultural knowledge and practices into MPA management.

The panel was followed by discussion.

Subcommittees Met, 11:10-2:50 PM

Executive Committee Met, 12:00-1:00 PM

Committee Reconvened, 3:08 PM
The Subcommittees reported out to the full Committee on their work.

Subcommittee 2 (Stewardship and Effectiveness) reviewed their consensus definitions for: effectiveness, stewardship, stakeholders, adaptive management, goal, objective, and co-management. They also reviewed an outline of a working document describing recommendations for four areas: initiation, planning, implementation, and adaptive management. Four cross cutting themes will be addressed in the preamble and in each area: roles and responsibilities; communication and education; stakeholder involvement; and research.

Subcommittee 3 (National and Regional Coordination of MPA Efforts) presented a proposed process for creating a national system of marine protected areas that builds on the vision, goals and components of a national system identified by Subcommittee 1, and the elements of stewardship and effectiveness explored by Subcommittee 2. Subcommittee 3’s work to-date has focused on recognizing the importance of cultural MPA sites; understanding the findings of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy with respect to MPAs, coordination, and ocean governance; and setting out issues regarding the governance and coordination of a national system. The Subcommittee proposed that a national agency or group of agencies would establish broad guidelines and policies for the establishment of the national system and would create regional entities to implement these guidelines. The regional entities would establish a nomination process for MPAs that meet national guidelines to become part of the national system. The Subcommittee also noted the need for a reliable source of funding for the national system.

Subcommittee 1 (National System) reviewed the most recent draft of the vision and goals statement for the national system of MPAs. The Subcommittee had worked to address comments provided by members raised during the meeting. The document includes sections on the vision for a national system of marine protected areas, goals of the national system, components of a national system, and factors that should be considered to determine which MPAs may qualify as part of a national system. In addition, the Subcommittee developed an extensive glossary defining key terms used in their report, and developed a detailed definition of “lasting protection.” This term is used in Executive Order 13158 as one part of the definition of a marine protected area.

Wrap-Up
Lauren Wenzel reported out on the process that the Executive Committee intends to follow:

Lauren Wenzel also reviewed the proposed ground rules suggested by the Executive Committee for reviewing Subcommittee reports (when they are distributed Dec 1). These included:

• Files will be sent out as line-numbered PDF files. Members are asked to reference page and line numbers in their comments, where appropriate.
• “Big picture” comments not directly linked to the current text are also welcome.
• Members are asked to provide a reason why they object to given language, and to suggest an alternative.
• All written comments are to be submitted to the MPA Center for compilation by Jan 20.

Dr. Bromley reported on the Executive Committee’s recommendations for the format of the February meeting. Day 1 will focus on panel presentations and public comment. Days 2 and 3 will focus on Committee deliberation on Subcommittee reports. At the February meeting, the Committee will work toward consensus on a draft committee report encompassing the Subcommittee recommendations. Issues that are not resolved in February will be addressed at the May meeting. The current subcommittees may no longer exist after the February meeting, but ad hoc workgroups may be formed to address particular outstanding issues.

The group discussed how the balance of time at the February meeting should be managed. There was a commitment to have a panel on tribal governance that had originally been planned for this meeting. Other suggestions included: the remaining four fishery management councils; a panel on culture and fishing; and a panel of MPA site managers. There were comments that time for panel presentations needed to be limited in order to provide adequate time for the Committee to deliberate on its report. It was agreed that the Executive Committee would plan the agenda to balance these needs.

Dr. Bromley thanked all the members for their hard work.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:12.

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete.

These minutes will be formally considered by the MPA FAC at its next meeting, and any corrections or notations will be incorporated in the minutes of that meeting.

Committee members present:
Dr. Tundi Agardy
Mr. Bob Bendick
Mr. David Benton
Dr. Dan Bromley, Chairman
Dr. Anthony Chatwin
Dr. Michael Cruickshank
Ms. Carol Dinkins
Dr. Rod Fujita
Dr. Dolly Garza
Mr. Eric Gilman
Dr. Mark Hixon
Mr. George Lapointe
Dr. Bonnie McCay, Vice-Chair
Mr. Mel Moon
Mr. Robert Moran
Dr. Steve Murray
Dr. John Ogden
Mr. Terry O’Halloran
Mr. Lelei Peau
Dr. Walter Pereyra
Mr. R. Max Peterson
Mr. Gil Radonski
Dr. Jim Ray
Ms. Barbara Stevenson
Dr. Daniel Suman
Mr. Bob Zales

Ex officio members/representatives present:
Ms. Beth Burkhard, Department of the Interior / MMS
Ms. Katherine Ewel, Department of Agriculture
Ms. Mary Glackin, Department of Commerce
Dr. Brian Melzian, US Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Jeff Pearson, Department of Homeland Security/Coast Guard
Ms. Lisa Phelps, Department of Defense/U.S. Navy
Ms. Jacqueline Schafer, U.S. Aid for International Development

National Marine Protected Areas Center staff:
Ms. Lauren Wenzel, Designated Federal Officer
Dr. Charles Wahle, Science Institute Director

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