1. Research in Support of Stewardship: The view from the trenches Rebecca Lent & Ryan Wulff NOAA Fisheries International Affairs

2. Presentation Overview - Stock status, NOAA role, punchline Overview - Stock status, NOAA role, punchline Research/analytical needs Research/analytical needs What, how and who What, how and who Top predator particularities Top predator particularities Case studies Case studies Get engaged! Get engaged!

3. State of Oceanic Top Predators Some stocks undergoing overfishing Some stocks undergoing overfishing Some overfished Some overfished Some overfished stocks have rebuilding plans Some overfished stocks have rebuilding plans Key concerns: Atlantic bluefin tuna and billfish, sharks, Southern bluefin tuna Key concerns: Atlantic bluefin tuna and billfish, sharks, Southern bluefin tuna

4. NOAA Fisheries Service Domestic Domestic Atlantic HMS – Secretarial management Atlantic HMS – Secretarial management Pacific HMS – Regional Fishery Management Councils (3) Pacific HMS – Regional Fishery Management Councils (3) International International Many bilateral arrangements Many bilateral arrangements US member of 3/5 tuna RFMOs, other RFMOs US member of 3/5 tuna RFMOs, other RFMOs Scientific engagement Scientific engagement

6. The Punchline We know enough We know enough Problem is lack of “political will” Problem is lack of “political will” Clarity of science is critical Clarity of science is critical

7. The What Fundamental vs. applied research Fundamental vs. applied research Basic biology, life history, oceanographic/climate information Basic biology, life history, oceanographic/climate information Stock and fleet assessments Stock and fleet assessments Multidisciplinary and multinational Multidisciplinary and multinational Ecosystem-wide impacts of fishery Ecosystem-wide impacts of fishery Cooperative research Cooperative research

8. The How Clear information Clear information Policy makers are not scientists Policy makers are not scientists Give alternative options to reach goals Give alternative options to reach goals Alternate methods Alternate methods Alternate timelines Alternate timelines Alternative allocations Alternative allocations Analyze impacts of alternatives Analyze impacts of alternatives Environmental impacts Environmental impacts NPV at various discount rates NPV at various discount rates

9. ICCAT Objective

10. The Who Not just the fishery managers Not just the fishery managers Increased awareness by the general public Increased awareness by the general public More meaningful debate with informed constituents More meaningful debate with informed constituents Politicians at higher levels Politicians at higher levels

11. Top Predator Particularities Role of environmental conditions - connect to stock assessments Role of environmental conditions - connect to stock assessments Trade and other economic drivers Trade and other economic drivers Developed/developing world, recreational/commercial/subsistence fisheries Developed/developing world, recreational/commercial/subsistence fisheries Catch and release survival rates Catch and release survival rates IOOS as a framework IOOS as a framework

12. Case Study: ICCAT and Bluefin Tuna Two stocks, science followed in west, not in east Two stocks, science followed in west, not in east Poor compliance in east even with high quotas Poor compliance in east even with high quotas Mixing implies impacts on west Mixing implies impacts on west Science: “imminent collapse in the east” Science: “imminent collapse in the east” Despite clarity, quotas set 2x recommended level Despite clarity, quotas set 2x recommended level Continued outrage – clarity helped! Continued outrage – clarity helped!

13. Case Study: North Atlantic Swordfish U.S. proposed multilateral rebuilding plan to ICCAT U.S. proposed multilateral rebuilding plan to ICCAT NPV analysis favored a 10-year vs. 15-year rebuilding plan NPV analysis favored a 10-year vs. 15-year rebuilding plan Stock rebuilt in less than 10 years Stock rebuilt in less than 10 years One of few success stories from RFMOs – why can’t this be done for BFT? One of few success stories from RFMOs – why can’t this be done for BFT?

14. Capacity: The ultimate interdisciplinary challenge Too many vessels in HMS Too many vessels in HMS FAO Plans of Action FAO Plans of Action Moving from words to action Moving from words to action Measures of capacity: not perfect, just useful Measures of capacity: not perfect, just useful Multidisciplinary approach is critical Multidisciplinary approach is critical

15. Engaging in the Policy Process Opportunities for participation at the domestic and international levels: Opportunities for participation at the domestic and international levels: In the science In the science In the management In the management In the public process In the public process In your community In your community Assess what work needs to be done, and see your work being used to a good purpose!

16. Thank you Questions?