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NOAA Habitat Blueprint- Focus Area Selection Southeast and Caribbean Region. Briefing to the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council April 23, 2014. Blueprint Guiding Principles. Prioritize resources and activities across NOAA to improve habitat conditions
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NOAA Habitat Blueprint-Focus Area SelectionSoutheast and Caribbean Region Briefing to the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council April 23, 2014
Blueprint Guiding Principles • Prioritize resources and activities across NOAA to improve habitat conditions • Make decisions in an ecosystem context and consider competing priorities • Leverage partnerships • Improve delivery of habitat science to facilitate decision making
Four Key Approaches • Implement short-term regional habitat initiatives • Establish longer-term geographic Habitat Focus Areas • Implement a systematic and strategic approach to habitat science • Strengthen policy and legislation
Habitat Focus Areas NOAA Regional Collaboration Framework Two HFAs selected in February; rollout planned for end of April Two HFAs selected;beginning implementation planning Northwest: building on existing Puget Sound Initiative Implementation planning and execution started in Russian River Watershed Discussions ongoing to decide whether to move forward in FY14 Beginning scoping process; selection expected mid/late summer Two HFAs selected; beginning implementation planning Selection expected in May
Selecting Habitat Focus Areas • Team of NOAA scientists and managers from across NOAA’s line offices. Focus Area Selection Team (FAST) • Oceans and Atmospheric Research – Atlantic Oceanographic and Mete0rological Laboratory, Ocean Acidification, Sea Grant • National Ocean Service– Marine Sanctuaries, Coral Program, NCCOS, CSC/OCRM • National Weather Service • NOAA Fisheries– Southeast Regional Office and Science Center, Restoration Center
Southeast and Caribbean Decision Criteria Advancing Blueprint outcomes (Fish populations, T&E species, protected areas, resilient communities, increased recreation) Demonstrate long-term impacts Feasibility of progress in 3-5 years Cross-NOAA collaboration External partnerships Improves scientific understanding Leverage or capitalize on resources and investments Consistent with regional initiatives • Transferability to other regions/ parts of country • Benefit to local economies and communities • Build off of existing activities, relationships
Timeline • January: Form a Focus Area Selection Team • February: Finalize decision criteria • March – April: Design a stakeholder strategy • May: NOAA line offices identify candidate Focus Areas • June: Narrow list of potential candidate Focus Areas • July: Conduct Focus Area Selection workshop • Aug: Finalize and announce selected Areas • September to October: Start implementation planning
Key Entry Points for Stakeholder Engagement • April: Learn about selection process, provide CFMC habitat priorities, make suggestions for Candidate Habitat Focus Areas • Summer 2014: Comment on Candidate Habitat Focus Areas (via formal web survey) • Fall 2014:Partner during implementation planning
Follow Up With Co-Chairs: • Howard Schnabolk, NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center howard.schnabolk@noaa.gov • George Sedberry, NOAA, National Ocean Service, National Marine Sanctuaries george.sedberry@noaa.gov