Highly Migratory Species Report

This new Federal administration is a totally different style of government than anglers have ever had to deal with previously. In prior years the government’s legislative branch has often blocked the administration’s desire to impose totally administrative control on all components of the US Oceans, rivers and lakes. The administration’s plan for total control was by creating a new agency named the “Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.”

This new agency’s “National Policy Objective” specifies 9 priority objectives that they will pursue to implement their New National Policy.

1. Ecosystem–based Management
2. Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning
3. Inform Decisions and Improve Understanding
4. Coordinate and Support
5. Resiliency and Adaptations to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
6. Regional Ecosystem Protection and Restoration
7. Water Quality and Sustainable Practices on Land
8. Changing Conditions in the Arctic
9. Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Observations and Infrastructure

“These priority objectives provide a bridge between policy and specific actions, but do not prescribe in detail how individual entities will undertake their responsibilities. Instead, the National Ocean Council (NOC) would develop strategic action plans for each of the priority objectives, focusing on key areas identified by the Task Force. This would allow adequate time to fully consider the necessary details for implementation, and as appropriate to coordinate with states, tribal and local authorities, regional governance structures, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and private enterprise.

Conclusion: The Task Force is pleased to submit this interim report and fulfill the first part of its charge. Having considered a broad range of public comments, this report reflects the requests and concerns of all interested parties. Though the main focus of the Task Force now turns to developing a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning, due to the President by December 9, 2009, the Task Force anticipates that this interim report will continue to be refined as the Task Force receives further thoughtful input for stakeholders. With this continued public participation, the Task Force will be able to provide the President with the best possible set of recommendations.

Please note fishing in any form is not even mentioned once. Even if fishing is eventually mentioned, can it really matter? The specified management structure under the Interim Rule gives the Co-Chairs complete control of all proceedings. The Co-chairs shall have authority to call NOC meetings, draft the agency, prioritize issues and call deputies meetings.

The Co-Chairs have already been chosen!

“The NOC would be Co-Chaired by the Chair of the (White House) Council of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

This would provide the NOC with balance of equities at the most senior level of its leadership and better facilitate interagency cooperation and collaboration.

The Ocean Resources Management Interagency Policy (ORM-IPC) committee is the successor to the current Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources.”

The United States will promote the objectives of this policy by:

“Ensuring a comprehensive and collaborative framework for the stewardship of the oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes that facilitates cohesive action across the Federal Government, as well as participation of State, tribal and local authorities, regional governance structures, non-governmental organization, the public and the private sector.

Cooperating and exercising leadership at the international level, including by joining the Law of the Sea Convention and supporting ocean stewardship in a fiscally responsible manner.”

The above paragraphs were exactly copied from the Interim Report. There is NO doubt about what they plan and what the task force’s objectives are! The Interim Report takes control of U.S. oceans, rivers and lakes from a regulatory agency. The Task Force Report abolishes that federal agency “Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources” but transfers its agenda to the new administrative Task Force!

The Task Force desires to join the “Law of the Sea Convention” and using these UN rules as their guideline for future actions! Note that the US has not joined the United Nations “Law of the Sea Convention” because the US Senate never approved the US joining this UN controlled Convention because there are serious doubts of its US impact.

The Administration’s transfer of control of our nation’s oceans, rivers and lakes is spelled out. This Task Force has no legislative oversight or control. Their actions are subject only to their own National Ocean Councils (NOC) review and the President’s approval.

This is absolute Federal Administration Anarchy! You don’t think all fishermen have a never before envisioned impending disaster?