AFS Blog

• Sharks lose out at UN meeting

  An effort to bolster conservation measures for plummeting shark populations was defeated yesterday at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), according to the AP.

  The nonbinding measure would have increased transparency in the shark trade and produced research on illegal fishing for sharks.

  The measure was taken down largely by China, Japan and Russia who argued that shark populations weren’t in trouble, despite a decline in some shark populations of 90 percent. Currently the IUCN Red List estimates that 32 percent of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction. As the ocean’s top predators, research has shown that a decline in sharks sparks a trophic cascade whereby many other species all down the food chain are impacted.

  Shark populations have suffered in part due to the shark fin trade for the growing consumption of shark fin soup, a delicacy in parts of Asia, especially China. Sharks are caught, de-finned (their fins cut off), and then thrown back into the ocean to die. It has been estimated that 26 to 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins. Sharks are also often caught as bycatch.

  China, Japan, and Russia further argued that the measure would hurt poor countries. Libya and Morocco concurred arguing that the measure would hurt poor fishermen.

  The AP says that the decline of this measure—which was expected to pass easily—may be a bad sign for the meeting’s other proposals to aid endangered species such as elephants and bluefin tuna.

Source: Mongabay.com

ASLO Aquatic Science Policy Report: January through March 2010




UK Royal Society: Invest in science or risk relegation from the economic premier league
 
Mar 9 – The United Kingdom is at risk of losing its scientific pre-eminence unless new investments are made, says the Royal Society in its new report “The Scientific Century: securing our future prosperity.” (download: http://royalsociety.org/the-scientific-century <http://royalsociety.org/the-scientific-century> ).
 
The report points to other world powers, including the United States, China, India, France and Germany, who have increased funding for research in order to stimulate their economies. Meanwhile, the UK has cut university budgets by £600 million (see: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/December/11120902.asp). Sir Martin Taylor, chair of the report’s advisory group, noted, “History shows us that new technologies drive economic development – look at the industrial and digital revolutions.  The UK has been in the top two of the scientific premier league for the last 350 years.  It would seem obvious that politicians would recognise the need to invest in this competitive advantage rather than cutting funds.”
To maximize the economic opportunities from science the Royal Society report recommends creating a 15 year framework for science and innovation, with increased spending; prioritizing investment in scientific skills and infrastructure, such as laboratories and equipment; and expanding the R&D tax credit.

FY2011 Budget Proposal Promising for Aquatic Science

On Feb 1, President Obama unveiled his $3.8 trillion budget proposal for FY 2011. While many domestic programs are facing cuts, research and development is slated for an overall increase of 6.4% to $61 billion. Gains, and in some cases losses, vary wildly by agency though. The good news for aquatic scientists: funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds the majority of extramural research in aquatic science, would rise by 8% under Obama’s plan. Within NSF, funding for the Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO) would increase by 7.5%. Despite the increase, the budget documents project that the funding success rate for FY 2011 will mirror that of FY 2010: 15.3%. The Geosciences Directorate (GEO) is slated for a 7.4% increase to $955 million; within that amount, Ocean Sciences would receive a 8.3% boost to $378 million. GEO is also predicting no change in its current funding success rate, 24%. Also of interest to aquatic scientists, $434 million has been included in the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) budget for construction of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). An additional $15 million is included within the BIO Directorate for final planning activities.
 
The FY2011 budget proposal is a mixed bag for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which enjoyed substantial gains in its FY 2010 budget. The agency’s budget would increase by 17%, but much of that increase is to compensate for the growing costs of weather and climate satellites. Climate (7.3%) and fisheries (7.1%) research would increase, but funding for ocean, coastal and Great Lakes research would decrease by 4.7%.
 
While news reports have focused on the cuts to NASA’s manned space program, the budget includes a 12% increase for science at the agency, to a total of $5 billion. Included in the increase is $1.8 billion for earth science (27% over last year’s funding). NASA has included funding for a second launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO). The first OCO was lost in a launch failure in early 2009. According to NASA, OCO will “measure atmospheric carbon dioxide from space, mapping the globe once every 16 days for at least two years with the accuracy, resolution and coverage needed to provide the first complete picture of the regional-scale geographic distribution and seasonal variations of both human and natural sources of carbon dioxide emissions and their sinks-the reservoirs that pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it.”   
 
While funding at the Environmental Protection Agency is down ($10 billion, 2.7% decrease from last year), the Obama administration has proposed a substantial increase (42%) for the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, for a total of $88 million. Within that total, the STAR fellowship program would increase by 56%, allowing the agency to award approximately 240 new fellowships.  
 
For further information:
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Research and Development (R&D) Budget and Policy Program posts regular updates on science funding throughout the annual appropriations process. Links to agency budget documents and a calendar of budget hearings is included. http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/
 
 
Will NOAA finally be authorized this year?
 
In 1970, President Nixon signed an Executive Order transferring five oceanographic and climate programs from the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard to the Secretary of Commerce, ultimately creating the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To this day, the agency has not been authorized by Congress. Multiple panels of experts, including the Pew and U.S. Ocean Commissions, have said authorizing the agency (through a so-called organic act) should be a priority for Congress. As part of its Ocean Action Plan, the Bush administration urged Congress to pass an organic act to authorize NOAA. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) has introduced an organic act during several Congresses, but none have yet become law. One of the key obstacles in passing an organic act is multiple jurisdiction in the House. A comprehensive authorization bill would have to be cleared by three separate committees that have jurisdiction over NOAA: Science, Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure. In an attempt to circumvent the problem of multiple jurisdiction, Ehler’s 2006 version of an organic act (which passed the House) did not include any mention of NOAA’s fisheries, coastal zone management, or mapping and charting responsibilities.
 
Ehlers, who has championed many aquatic science issues such as harmful algal blooms and invasive species, recently announced that he will retire from the House this year. Two other key players –  Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) who chairs the Energy and Environment subcommittee of the House Science committee, and Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), chair of the full committee – are also retiring at the end of this session. Gordon has indicated that he hopes to see the bill pass this year as a way to honor Rep. Ehlers work on the issue. The Senate Commerce Committee, which has sole jurisdiction over NOAA in the Senate, recently sent NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco a letter expressing support for authorizing legislation.
 
 
House passes bill to expand research on Harmful Algal Blooms
From the American Institute of Biological Sciences

On 12 March 2010, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would expand research on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in U.S. marine and fresh waters. The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 (HR 3650), sponsored by Representative Brian Baird (D-WA), passed by voice vote after falling two votes shy of passage under expedited consideration earlier in the week. If enacted, the bill would double authorizations for harmful algal blooms and hypoxia research programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to $41 million a year. The legislation would also require NOAA to oversee the development of regional research and action plans for addressing these poor water quality events. The Senate is currently considering similar legislation (S. 952), which was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee last year.

U.S. House Passes Watershed Education Bill to Sharpen Science Education, 
Improve Student Readiness to Learn

Vote Expected Soon On Public Lands Service Corps Act To Create Jobs for Youth on Public Lands

WASHINGTON (March 19)—The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan bill to promote nature education and advance science literacy in America’s classrooms.  The House is also expected to vote as soon as this weekend on the Public Lands Service Corps Act to provide young people with service and job opportunities on public lands. 

The Ocean, Coastal and Watershed Education Act (H.R. 3644), passed by a vote of 244-170, empowers teachers to engage students in outdoor learning about local watersheds. Research shows that this type of environmental education improves student readiness to learn, increases standardized tests scores, and piques student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning.  

Introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA – 23) last September, H.R. 3644 will authorize a national Environmental Literacy Grant Program and a regional Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Also expected to be considered as soon as this weekend is the Public Lands Service Corps Act (H.R. 1612), led by Congressman Raul Grijalva (AZ – 7). This legislation supports youth service and employment on public lands that provides on-the-job training and education for young people, especially those from underserved communities.  As the youth unemployment rate in America soars to record levels, this bill will create opportunities for green jobs and youth careers in natural resources.

Both bills under consideration will engage young people in healthy, active time outdoors in nature, helping to combat the new phenomenon of the “indoor childhood”.  Recent studies show that children today spend on average fewer than 7 minutes each day outside and more than 7 hours a day in front of electronic media.  

Kevin Coyle, Vice President of Education and Training at National Wildlife Federation, said today:
“National Wildlife Federation applauds Congresswoman Capps and Congressman Grijalva for their leadership on legislation that connects children with nature, advances science learning, and provides opportunities for young Americans to learn, serve, and work in the growing clean energy economy.  Hands-on environmental education gets children outdoors to experience nature firsthand while improving science skills.  It helps students learn about the world around them, a world they will inherit and must learn to take care of.”

Kevin Coyle testified last October in support of H.R. 3644 before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife. To view the complete testimony, click here.  

Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23), lead sponsor of H.R.3644, said:

“B-WET both brings local watersheds into every classroom, and draws every child out into the watershed in an exciting and meaningful way. I’ve seen firsthand in California how this program successfully provides opportunities for children and teachers to learn about the importance of our coastal and marine environments. Under this legislation, more watershed communities across the nation will be able to replicate the success we’ve experienced on California’s coast.”
Dr. James Elder, Director of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, said:

“The Campaign for Environmental Literacy, with partner organizations led by NWF, has been working hard to see these two vital education and service programs become formally authorized. The success of Congresswoman Capps’ bill expands the focus in America’s classrooms on the critical, symbiotic relationship between the environment and the economy. The legislation that passed in the House of Representatives today will help develop a generation which understands that one cannot be sacrificed for the other—our country must find solutions for ensuring both the environment and the economy are healthy and strong if we are to meet the coming demand for a green economy in the 21^st century.”

Natural Resources Bulletin – March 16, 2010

—————————————————-

In This Issue…

1. White House Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force 2. Update on Proposed Climate Bill Draft 3. DOI Secretary Salazar Releases “State of the Birds” Report 4. Update on Feinstein California Bay Delta Estuary Effort ____________________________________________________________________________________________

1. White House Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force

Today, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released an interim progress report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force. The report outlines the Task Force’s progress to date and recommends key components to include in a national strategy on climate change adaptation.

“The Administration believes we must prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “We know that climate-related changes are already observed in the United States. The Federal Government must adapt and improve resilience to minimize risk to people, natural places, and key infrastructure. Adaptation will require thoughtful, preventative actions and investments, and demand new approaches and preparation from nonprofit, private and government entities.”

John Kostyack, Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming at the National Wildlife Federation, said, “this report emphasizes what we have known for a long time. We need an all hands on deck response if we are to succeed in safeguarding America’s communities, wildlife and natural assets from the impacts of climate change.”

“We applaud the Obama administration for working on a national strategy to safeguard people and wildlife from the impacts of the climate change. However, planning alone will not be enough to meet the challenge of climate change. Congress must pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation that substantially reduces carbon pollution and includes robust and dedicated funds for safeguarding natural systems and human communities from the increasing effects of climate change on our country.”

Attached: NWF’s and the White House’s press release ____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Update on the Proposed Climate Draft

On Friday, March 12, Senator John Kerry (MA) announced that he and Senators Graham (SC) and Lieberman (CT) may wait until after the upcoming spring recess before releasing their draft proposal.

“If not before, pretty soon thereafter,” Kerry said. “We’re wrestling with just getting language done. … Before we leave, we will give you either that or a date.”

Kerry, Graham and Lieberman have been meeting with key Senate offices, President Obama and large U.S. trade organizations. They have been unveiling their draft proposal and receiving suggestions.

There has also been some concern around comments made by Senator Graham regarding healthcare and climate. On March 14, Graham warned that “Democrats are putting President Obama’s energy and climate agenda in peril by making a partisan push this week to pass health care”.

Graham said that he is still upbeat about the talks with Senators Kerry and Lieberman on legislation that would put a price on greenhouse gas emissions and expand domestic oil, gas and nuclear energy production. But he said those efforts could be undermined because of the push to pass health care in the Senate through the budget reconciliation process that requires a 51-vote majority.

Jeremy Symons, senior vice president for policy at NWF, insisted the issues should remain separate. “Senators shouldn’t squander this opportunity for real energy reform because they are angry on other topics,” he said. “Think where our nation would be if Congress called it quits every time parties fight over one issue. Nothing would ever get done.”

Senator Kerry also remains optimistic about the partnership. “Lindsey has said we’re going to proceed forward on this,” Kerry said. “He’s invested time, effort, energy and he believes in the importance of it.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Secretary Salazar Releases “State of the Birds” Report

On March 11, Secretary Salazar released the “State of the Birds” report. The report, a collaboration of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and experts from the nation’s leading conservation organizations, shows that climate changes will have an increasingly disruptive effect on bird species in all habitats, with oceanic and Hawaiian birds in greatest peril.

The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change follows a comprehensive report issue released a year ago showing that nearly a third of the nation’s 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline.

“For well over a century, migratory birds have faced stresses such as commercial hunting, loss of forests,  the use of DDT and other pesticides, a loss of wetlands and other key habitat, the introduction of invasive species, and other impacts of human development,” Salazar said. “Now they are facing a new threat – climate change – that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply and push many species towards extinction.”

The report offers solutions that illustrate how, by working together, organizations and individuals can have a demonstrable positive impact on birds in the U. S. Specifically, the report indicates that the way lands are managed can mitigate climate change and help birds adapt to changing conditions. For example, conserving carbon-rich forests and wetlands, and creating incentives to avoid deforestation can reduce emissions and provide invaluable wildlife habitat.

The report is the product of a collaborative effort as part of the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative, between federal and state wildlife agencies, and scientific and conservation organizations including partners from American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Klamath Bird Observatory, National Audubon Society, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

For More Info: <www.stateofthebirds.org>

Read the Press Release: <http://www.stateofthebirds.org/newsroom/2010-news-release>

____________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Update on Feinstein California Bay Delta Estuary Effort

This past February, Senator Feinstein (CA) threatened to propose an effort to significantly weaken Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the California Bay Delta Estuary, in the form of a rider on the Senate Jobs bill.  This is called the “Emergency Temporary Water Supply Amendment”, and if passed, it would prevent the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing restrictions for the next two years on water exports by the federal and state water projects at the massive south Delta pumping plant.

These pumping plants kill up to hundreds of millions of Bay-Delta fish, eggs and larvae each year. Those ESA protections were only put in place over the last year. Senator Feinstein claims that the new ESA protections are causing major job losses in the San Joaquin Valley, and preventing growers from receiving the 40% of contracted deliveries they say they need to survive.

This amendment could be the downfall for California’s salmon fishing industry, which has lost tens of thousands of jobs and faces the likelihood of a third year of closure of the ocean fishery, with the commercially important fall Chinook run at a historic low.

NWF, their affiliates and other environmental organizations banded together to urge against this effort. There was a day of phone banking in California, there were ads and alerts to ask constituents to convince Feinstein to reconsider the amendment.

Senator Feinstein announced on February 26th that she has placed this amendment on hold. This new decision stems from a new DOI forecast that predicts more water for farmers than was made available last year, primarily because of a seeming temporary break in what is now a multi-year drought.

Though Feinstein has backed off for now, it is possible that this can be brought up in the future, so we will continue to prepare for more legislative action from the Senator in the weeks ahead.

For More Info: <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leda-huta/senator-feinstein-conside_b_472268.html>

Read Feinstein’s Press Release: <http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0c2ecc85-5056-8059-7610-063f3e9f8838&Region_id=&Issue_id=>

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NOAA Fisheries lists Pacific smelt as threatened

The Associated Press

Posted: 03/16/2010 10:42:51 AM PDT

Updated: 03/16/2010 10:42:52 AM PDT. MercuryNews.com

GRANTS PASS, Ore.—The Pacific smelt, a small fish that is popular as food and bait, but is beset by climate change, declining river flows, and shrimp fishing, is getting federal protection.

The NOAA Fisheries Service said Tuesday that the fish also known as eulachon or candlefish will be listed as a threatened species.

The Cowlitz Tribe in Washington state asked for the listing in 2007.

There are two populations. The one getting protection ranges from the Mad River in Northern California north into British Columbia.

Just what will be done to protect the fish has not been determined, but NOAA Fisheries says further declines are expected as global warming reduces the availability of prey and changes springtime river flows.

• UN fish stocks meet told to protect needs of coastal fishing communities

  The needs of coastal fishing communities and the interests of artisanal and subsistence fishers should be taken into account under conservation and management measures for fish stocks, a United Nations conference was told.

  In a statement at the Ninth Round of Informal Consultations of States Parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, 16-17 March, United Nations, New York, the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) expressed surprise that there is hardly any substantive reference made to small-scale and artisanal fisheries in the document A/Conf.210/2010/1.

  The statement wondered whether the “effects detrimental to coastal fishing communities are demonstrably avoided under conservation and management measures adopted for these stocks”.

  It also stated that access to fisheries by subsistence, small-scale and artisanal fishers and women fishworkers, as well as indigenous people, should be ensured while establishing conservation and management measures for straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks.

  The ICSF statement further pointed out that conservation and management measures for these fish stocks should be consistent with the rules and principles of international law dealing with human rights, especially with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

  The ICSF statement was formally supported by the delegation from Brazil.

  The full text of the statement can be found at
  http://www.icsf.net/SU/stmt/I

  This statement was supported by the delegation from Brazil.

Source: ICSF