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MMSSCIENCEVOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL OF THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Advancing ourOcean, Coastal, and Great LakesPolicy
A PresidentialResponse – The U.S. OceanAction Plan
Viewing OceanPolicy ThroughAqua-ColoredGlasses
Ocean Ed 101
ORRAP
SIMOR Work Plan
RegionalPartnershipsPreserve andProtect Resources
JSOST in Time –Setting Ocean Science andTechnologyPriorities
Advancing ourOcean, Coastal, and Great LakesPolicy
A PresidentialResponse – The U.S. OceanAction Plan
Viewing OceanPolicy ThroughAqua-ColoredGlasses
Ocean Ed 101
ORRAP
SIMOR Work Plan
RegionalPartnershipsPreserve andProtect Resources
JSOST in Time –Setting Ocean Science andTechnologyPriorities
Special Interagency OAPIssue!
2 MMS OCEAN SCIENCE Science & Technology Journal
MMSSCIENCE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 Volume 3 Issue 5
MMS OCEAN SCIENCE is published bi-monthly by the MineralsManagement Service to communicaterecent ocean science and technologicalinformation and issues of interest relatedto offshore mineral recovery, oceanstewardship, and mineral revenues.
Please address all questions,comments, suggestions, and changesof address to:Deborah EppersonMMS OCEAN SCIENCE EditorMinerals Management Service1201 Elmwood Park BoulevardNew Orleans, LA 70123
(504) 736-3257
ABOUT THE COVERTop: From An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century
Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.
Bottom: Hurricane Frances regional imagery, 2004.09.03 at 1645Z.
Centerpoint 25˚32'20"N latitude, 76˚15'03"Wlongitude. Photo courtesy NOAA.
Back: Background platform image by Gregory S. Boland
All photos courtesy of Minerals Management Service unless otherwise noted.
Publication services provided by Schatz Publishing Group
THE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL OF THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 Volume 3 Issue 5
3 As One VoiceAdvancing our Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Policy
4 Spelling it out…Is This the Ocean or Alphabet Soup?
5 A Presidential ResponseThe U.S. Ocean Action Plan
6 Viewing Ocean Policy ThroughAqua-Colored Glasses
8 ORRAP Offers SpecializedExpertise and Advice
8 The SIMOR Work Plan9 Oceans Act in Action
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
10 Regional PartnershipsPreserve and Protect Resources
11 JSOST in TimeSetting Ocean Science and Technology Priorities
12 New WavesLate-breaking News & Information
For more information about the Minerals Management Service, check out our site on the World Wide Web:
www.mms.gov
SubscribeTo receive MMS OCEAN SCIENCE, sign up on the website
www.gomr.mms.gov, click on e-mail subscriptions on the left-handcolumn, check the box marked Environmental Studies or e-mail
[email protected] or call (504) 736-3257
Over the last severaldecades, we havecome to realize andappreciate thesignificance of our
ocean resources to our future as aNation. The oceans,coasts, and GreatLakes serve assources of energy,food, medicine,recreation,transportation, andsecurity. Oceanpolicy over theyears, however, hasbeen fragmented; itis spread amongmany interests,jurisdictions, andagencies. It is clearto all concerned thatocean managementbenefits from a clearand consistent voice. In 2004, thePresident released his U.S. Ocean ActionPlan (OAP), which provides the founda-tion to advance the next generation ofocean, coastal, and Great Lakes policy.
The OAP outlines a framework forocean governance that includes partici-pation by a full range of stakeholdersfrom the Federal and State agencies toindustry and local citizens, and attemptsto bring all concerned to the table. TheCommittee on Ocean Policy spearheadsthis effort, while the Interagency Com-mittee on Ocean Science and ResourceManagement Integration and its sub-committees (the Joint Subcommittee onOcean Science and Technology and theSubcommittee on Integrated Manage-ment of Ocean Resources) provide aworking support and advisory system.
As the OAP is implemented, theobjective is to work with Federal, State,and local agencies and governments;tribes; academic institutions; industry;and private citizens to make our oceans,coasts, and Great Lakes cleaner, healthier,and more productive.
3MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
Many acronyms are repeatedly used throughout this issue of MMS Ocean Science. To familiarize readers with the new, developingocean governance structure, see our Acronym Alphabet Soup guide on the next page.
This issue of MMS OceanScience is devoted to our
Nation’s new ocean governancestructure evolving under the
U.S. Ocean Action Plan (OAP). It was produced with the
assistance of two guest editors,Dr. Gerhard F. Kuska from the Council on
Environmental Quality and aCo-Chair of SIMOR; and
Dr. Dan Walker from the White House Office ofScience and Technology Policyand a Co-Chair of the JSOST.
AS ONEVOICE
ADVANCING OUR OCEAN, COASTAL, AND GREAT LAKES POLICY
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As in many areas of public policy,our Nation is faced with anaffliction familiar to scientists,
engineers, resource managers, and particularlygovernment officials. The affliction? AcuteAcronym Anxiety Disorder (AAAD).
For those who suffer from this affliction, thenew, developing structure may provide littlerelief. Consider the data: The Plan calls for theformation of two subcommittees: JSOST (whichwill guide the development of ocean sciences andtechnologies to meet the Nation’s social, economic,and security goals) and SIMOR (which will manageocean resources to promote the Nation’s social,economic, and security goals). JSOST is co-chaired byOSTP, NSF, and NOAA, while SIMOR is co-chaired byCEQ, EPA, DOI, and NOAA. They all report to theICOSRMI and, ultimately, to the COP with its CEQ chair.
CEQ . . . . . . . . . . . Council on Environmental QualityCOP. . . . . . . . . . . Committee on Ocean PolicyDOI . . . . . . . . . . . Department of the Interior (includes
MMS – Minerals Management Service)EPA . . . . . . . . . . . Environmental Protection AgencyFACA. . . . . . . . . . Federal Advisory Committee ActFSTT . . . . . . . . . . Federal/State Task TeamGOM. . . . . . . . . . Gulf of MexicoICOSRMI . . . . . Interagency Committee on Ocean Science
and Resource Management Integration(also known as the “Aqua Box”)
IMDCC. . . . . . . . Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee
IOOS. . . . . . . . . . Integrated Ocean Observing SystemIWG’s . . . . . . . . . Interagency Working GroupsIWG-4H . . . . . . Interagency Working Group on
Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, andHuman Health
IWG-F . . . . . . . . Interagency Working Group on FacilitiesIWG-OCM. . . . Interagency Working Group on Ocean and
Coastal MappingIWG-OE . . . . . . Interagency Working Group on
Ocean EducationIWG-OO. . . . . . Interagency Working Group on
Ocean Observation
IWG-OP . . . . . . Interagency Working Group on Ocean Partnering
JSOST . . . . . . . . Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology
MMS. . . . . . . . . . Minerals Management Service
NOAA . . . . . . . . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOPP. . . . . . . . . National Oceanographic Partnership Program
NORLC . . . . . . . National Ocean Research Leadership Council
NROC. . . . . . . . . Northeast Regional Ocean Council
NSF . . . . . . . . . . . National Science Foundation
NSTC . . . . . . . . . National Science and Technology Council
OAP. . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Ocean Action Plan
ORRAP . . . . . . . Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel
OSTP . . . . . . . . . Office of Science and Technology Policy
SIMOR . . . . . . . Subcommittee on Integrated Managementof Ocean Resources
USCOP . . . . . . . U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
IS THIS THE OCEAN OR ALPHABET SOUP?
SPELLING IT OUT…
Here is a guide to help reduce the effects of AAAD.
5MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
THE U.S. OCEAN ACTION PLAN
A PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE
FFOROR MOREMORE INFORMAINFORMATIONTION::
U.S. Ocean Action PlanWebsite: ocean.ceq.gov/actionplan.pdf
USCOP’s Final ReportWebsite: www.oceancommission.gov/
documents/full_color_rpt/000_ocean_full_report.pdf
The evolving Integrated Ocean Observing System, or IOOS, is a
coordinated national network of observations, data management and communications, and analyses that will disseminateinformation regarding the status of our oceans, coastal waters, andGreat Lakes.
Consider IOOS as a “Weather Channel” for our water world.
On December 17, 2004, PresidentBush released the U.S. OceanAction Plan (OAP), the Adminis-
tration’s response to An Ocean Blueprint,the final report of the U.S. Commissionon Ocean Policy (USCOP). The Commis-sion provided a comprehensive look atour Nation’s ocean science and policyframework and made a series of recom-mendations regarding research andresource management needs.
Through the OAP, the Presidentcreated a cabinet-level voice for theoceans. As outlined in his plan, theCommittee on Ocean Policy (COP) wascreated by Executive Order. This COP,chaired by the Chairman of the Councilon Environmental Quality, advises thePresident and coordinates the executivebranch departments and agencies toadvance the environmental and economicinterests of present and future generationsof Americans. Reporting directly to theChair is the Interagency Committee onOcean Science and Resource ManagementIntegration (ICOSRMI) and itssubcommittees, the Subcommittee onIntegrated Management of OceanResources (SIMOR) and the JointSubcommittee on Ocean Science andTechnology (JSOST). Thesesubcommittees, together with a Federaladvisory committee and strong linkagesto other ocean and coastal related groups,represent the new coordinated oceangovernance structure.
The OAP identifies six key areas andproposes responsible and aggressive
Notably, on June 15, 2006, President Bush signed aProclamation establishing the NorthwesternHawaiian Islands Marine National Monumentcovering an area of nearly 140,000 square miles,which represents the largest protected marine area inthe world and the largest single act of conservationin our Nation’s history. White House photo by Eric Draper
action to bring about positive change. The key areas are:1. Leadership and Coordination2. Knowledge and Understanding3. Use and Conservation4. Coastal and Watershed Management5. Transportation6. International Science and Policy
Under these key areas are a number ofaction items that represent both thoseactivities that can be undertaken immedi-ately as well as other, longer termpriorities. For example, pre-existing proj-ects and research, such as the IntegratedOcean Observing System, commonlyknown as IOOS, will receive enhancedfocus. The activities outlined in the OAPrepresent a first step in addressing the rec-ommendations of the USCOP. Excellentprogress has been made over the past 18months in all six key areas.
6 MMS OCEAN SCIENCE Science & Technology Journal
referred to as the “Aqua Box”, based onits representation in the Ocean ActionPlan. The ICOSRMI is co-chaired by theOffice of Science and Technology Policy(OSTP) and the Council on Environ-mental Quality. The ICOSRMI’s mem-bership reflects the same structure as theCommittee on Ocean Policy but at theUnder Secretary/Assistant Secretary level.
One main focus of the ICOSRMI is to coordinate and integrate the activi-ties of ocean-related Federal agencies andto identify statutory and regulatoryredundancies and gaps so that conflictscan be resolved, gaps can be filled, andnew issues can be addressed quickly andeffectively. It also seeks to develop part-nerships at all levels, use and deliver
The Interagency Committee onOcean Science and ResourceManagement Integration(ICOSRMI) was created inDecember 2004 by the
Administration’s U.S. Ocean Action Plan. The ICOSRMI reports directly to the Chair of the cabinet-level Committee on Ocean Policy and ischarged with advising the Committeeand carrying out its ocean policy, bothdomestically and internationally. Partlybecause of the difficulty in pronouncingits acronym, the ICOSRMI is sometimes
VIEWINGTHROUGH AQUA-COLORED GLASSES
Oceans Act of 2000
USCOP FinalReport
September 2004
U.S. Ocean Action Plan &Executive Order creating theCommittee on Ocean Policy
December 2004
SIMORJSOST2005
Timeline
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scientific information effectively, andcoordinate educational opportunities.
The ICOSRMI has two subcommit-tees: the Subcommittee on IntegratedManagement of Ocean Resources(SIMOR) and the Joint Subcommitteeon Ocean Science and Technology(JSOST). These subcommittees are the“working” arms of the ocean gover-nance structure.
Through the Federal Advisory Com-mittee Act (FACA), an advisory bodyensures that objective and readily acces-sible advice is rendered to the executivecommittees of this new ocean gover-nance structure. The Ocean Research andResources Advisory Panel (ORRAP)provides independent scientific adviceand recommendations to the ICOSRMI.Simply put, ORRAP provides externalinformation and advice to the ICOSRMI,SIMOR, and JSOST which is consideredwhen formulating policy, setting researchand management priorities, anddeveloping plans and activities.
7MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
COORDINATED OCEAN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Chair: CEQCabinet Level Membership
Co-Chairs: OSTP & CEQ
Co-Chairs: OSTP, NSF, NOAA Co-Chairs: CEQ, EPA, DOI & NOAA
Ocean Ed 101
Following the release of the Ocean Action Plan (OAP), the InteragencyCommittee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration(ICOSRMI) tasked the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of
Ocean Resources (SIMOR) and the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Scienceand Technology (JSOST) with developing recommendations on oceaneducation. In July 2005, the SIMOR and JSOST Co-chairs established an ad-hoc Joint Task Force on Ocean Education. The task force was asked todevelop options for implementing the education-related portions of theOAP, with a focus on increasing coordination between Federal agenciesinvolved in ocean education efforts.
Following task force recommendations and a request by the SIMOR andJSOST Co-Chairs to the ICOSRMI, the Interagency Working Group onOcean Education (IWG-OE) was created. Activities being pursued by theIWG-OE include enhancing ocean education efforts among public, private,governmental and academic partners; coordinating education and outreachmessages about oceans and coasts; ensuring that data collected throughocean and Earth observations are translated into useable forms foreducators and the public; and assessing the current and future oceanworkforce and ocean-related academic programs.
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states through theCoastal StatesOrganization andthe CoastalCoordinationCommittee. TheSIMOR has alsoengaged the JSOSTin the develop-ment of the OceanResearch PrioritiesPlan through
SIMOR’s Federal/State Task Team (FSTT),which includes State resource managers.As groups talk, exchange ideas, identifyproblem areas, and propose solutions,the Ocean Action Plan, and activitiesthat move beyond it, will benefit fromSIMOR’s commitment to the develop-ment of dynamic, transparent, andcomprehensive management processesfor our Nation’s marine and coastalresources.
based on four priority areas identified by the Subcommittee:
1) Support Regional andLocal Collaboration
2) Facilitate Use of OceanScience and Technology in OceanResource Management
3) Enhance Ocean, Coastal,and Great Lakes ResourceManagement to Improve Use and Conservation
4) Enhance Ocean Education
To coordinate the implementation ofthe Work Plan items, SIMOR has formedwork groups of individuals with expert-ise in management, science, education,and technology. The SIMOR is reachingout to stakeholders, including groupsrepresenting environmental, offshoreindustry, fishing, and agricultur-al interests, initially throughlistening sessions. The SIMOR isalso engaging with the
The Ocean Research andResources Advisory Panel(ORRAP) is an expansion of theOcean Research Advisory Panel,formerly chartered to advise the
governing body of the NationalOceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), the National Ocean ResearchLeadership Council (NORLC).
The ORRAP is mandated by the U.S. Ocean Action Plan (OAP) and charteredunder the Federal Advisory Committee Act to serve an independent advisory role tothe Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration(ICOSRMI).
The ORRAP membership is composed of non-Federal individuals specializing inscience, marine policy, and resource management. The National Academy of Sciences,State governments, academia, ocean industries, and other interested parties are repre-sented. Members are appointed for up to four years.
The wealth of knowledge and information residing in the ORRAP is invaluable tothe committees who receive their advice, and represents the primary, though not theonly means of providing external input into the Federal process.
8 MMS OCEAN SCIENCE Science & Technology Journal
ORRAP OFFERS SPECIALIZEDEXPERTISE AND ADVICE
The National OceanographicPartnership Program (NOPP) isa collaboration of 15 Federal
agencies created to provide leader-ship and coordination of nationaloceanographic research andeducation initiatives.
The OAP called for ICOSRMI to incorporate the activities ofNOPP’s National Ocean ResearchLeadershipCouncil withinits broadermandate thatincludes oceanresourcemanagement.
The Subcommittee onIntegrated Management ofOcean Resources (SIMOR) isone of two working subcommit-tees formed by the U.S. Ocean
Action Plan to operate under theInteragency Committee on OceanScience and Resource ManagementIntegration (ICOSRMI). The subcommit-tee is co-chaired by the Council onEnvironmental Quality and agency rep-resentatives from the EnvironmentalProtection Agency, the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration, andthe Department of the Interior.
As outlined in its Work Plan,SIMOR’s primary focus is to “seek toidentify and promote opportunities forcollaboration and cooperation amongfederal agencies and to build partner-ships among Federal, State, Tribal andlocal authorities, the private sector, inter-national partners, and other interestedparties.” The SIMOR developed its WorkPlan with input from the 19 SIMORagency members.
The SIMOR Work Plan is meant to bea framework for additional activities
THE SIMOR WORK PLAN
resources. The commission, whichbecame known as the StrattonCommission (after its first chairman, Dr.Julius Stratton), took a broad and thor-ough look at the oceans, establishingnational priorities that became the foun-dation for our ocean policy develop-ments over the last 35 years.
With its study complete and itsobligations to Congress and thePresident fulfilled, the U.S. Commissionon Ocean Policy expired in December2004. The implementation of thePresident's Ocean Action Plan addressesthe recommendations of the USCOPand serve as the basis for scientificresearch, environmental safeguards,legislative programs, and economicdevelopment for years to come.
clear and coordi-nated solutions toaddress our mostimportant prob-lems andchallenges.
In 2000,Congress recog-nized the need fora comprehensivenational oceanpolicy to addressthose conflicts andenacted theOceans Act of 2000. The Act created theU.S. Commission on Ocean Policy(USCOP), which was mandated to studycurrent policy on resource protection,ocean use, security, scientific and educa-tional needs, and transportation uses.The USCOP, chaired by Admiral JamesD. Watkins, USN (Ret), released its finalreport, “An Ocean Blueprint for the 21stCentury” in September 2004. A copy ofthe report was delivered to each stategovernor, in addition to President Bush,who then developed his response in con-sultation with representatives of the gov-ernors. The President’s response wasreleased in December 2004. His“U.S.Ocean Action Plan” created a coor-dinated voice in the White House for ouroceans, coasts and Great Lakes – a cabi-net-level Committee on Ocean Policy.
This advancement of our Nation’socean policy isthe most compre-hensive since the1966 MarineResources andEngineeringDevelopment Act.That Act called fora Presidentialcommission onmarine science,engineering, and
9MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
Above: Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, USN (Ret) Ph.D., Undersecretaryof Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; Donald Evans, former Secretary ofCommerce; President George W. Bush; James L. Connaughton, Chairman,Council on Environmental Quality; Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary, Departmentof the Interior; and Admiral James Watkins, USN (Ret), Chairman, U.S.Commission on Ocean Policy.
U.S. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY
OCEANS ACT IN ACTION
FFOROR MOREMORE INFORMAINFORMATIONTION::
Public Law 106-256Website: frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/
cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ256.106.pdf
Executive Order: Committee onOcean Policy
Website: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041217-5.html
The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy – (l-r) front row: Professor Marc J. Hershman; Dr. ThomasR. Kitsos (Executive Director); Mr. Ted A. Beattie;and Dr. Paul A. Sandifer. Second row: Mr. LawrenceDickerson; Mrs. Lillian Borrone; Ms. Ann D’Amato;and Mr. Paul L. Kelly. Back row: Mr. ChristopherKoch; Mr. Edward B. Rasmuson; Dr. James M.Coleman; Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret)(Chairman); Mr. William D. Ruckelshaus; Dr. Andrew A. Rosenberg; Vice Admiral Paul G.Gaffney II, USN (Ret); Dr. Robert Ballard; and Dr. Frank Muller-Karger.
As a Nation, we have benefited –and continue to benefit – fromour oceans, coasts, and Great
Lakes. It is expected that by 2025,approximately 75 percent of Americanswill live in coastal areas. As more of ourpopulation, economic centers, touristdestinations, and energy productionfacilities continue to concentrate near theocean coasts, the potential stress of thispopulation growth on the coast andocean ecosystems is a matter of concernto scientists; local, State, and Federalpublic officials; and private citizens. Wesee a key challenge in developing man-agement strategies that ensure continuedconservation of coastal and marine habi-tats, and living resources, while at thesame time ensuring that the Americanpublic enjoys and benefits from thoseresources. However, the number of over-lapping laws, jurisdictions, and some-times conflicting interests has made itdifficult to formulate and implement
10 MMS OCEAN SCIENCE Science & Technology Journal
with five Eastern Canadian provinces torecognize their cumulative alignmentwith and dependence on coastal andmarine interests.
The NROC offered the Federalagencies a seat at the table to communi-cate regional needs and engage theFederal agencies as partners.
Regional partnerships, led by theStates and in partnership with theFederal agencies, have the potential tomake a huge difference compared withindividual State efforts. Key players with shared boundaries, waterways, andcommon concerns are motivated to seekmultistate solutions for problemsbecause they are generally more familiar with localized issues and can be more responsive.
States that join together to formregional coalitions and move toward anecosystem-based approach tomanagement of the oceans and coastsstrengthen the unified effort to protectand manage the ocean environment forcurrent and future generations.
PRESERVE AND PROTECT RESOURCES
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
As initiatives outlined under the
U.S. Ocean Action Plan(OAP) begin coming to
fruition, some states arealready forming regional
coalitions and making commitments toaddress resource conservation issues.
In 2004, through the leadership ofFlorida Governor Jeb Bush, the States ofAlabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas,and Florida formed the Gulf of MexicoAlliance to share expertise and resources
FFOROR MOREMORE INFORMAINFORMATIONTION::
Gulf of Mexico AllianceWebsite: www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/
default.htm
New England Governors CouncilWebsite: www.negc.org/documents/
NEGC_Newsletter_905.pdf#search=%22northeast%20regional%20ocean%20council%22
NOAA Pledges Support to New England Governors andCanadian PremiersWebsite: www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/
news/weeklynews/supp_may06.html
for protecting the Gulf of Mexico (GOM)ecosystem. The alliance, which has beenrecognized by the U.S. Ocean ActionPlan and received pledges of supportfrom 13 Federal agencies, released aGovernors’ Action Plan for Healthy andResilient Coasts that identifies short- andlong-term goals for creating a healthierGOM ecosystem and economy. Theirapproach demonstrates that regionalgroups are ideally suited to address theenvironmental preservation andeconomic health of a particulargeographic location.
In 2005, through the leadership ofRhode Island Governor Don Carcieri,the States of New Hampshire, RhodeIsland, and Vermont agreed to form theNortheast Regional Ocean Council(NORC). As a further development,these same states formed a partnership
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Decade,” a document that outlinesnational ocean research priorities, isbeing developed with input from publicworkshops and comments. At thiswriting, research priorities have beendeveloped along six societal themes:stewardship of our natural and culturalocean resources; increasing resilience tonatural hazards; enabling marineoperations; the ocean’s role in climate;improving ecosystem health; andenhancing human health. The JSOSTwill be soliciting public comment on theresearch priorities document for a 45-dayperiod beginning in September 2006.The final plan is due around the end of2006 and will guide future budgetdecisions for the agencies involved. Itwill provide guidance on how thevarious ocean science sectors(government, academia, industry, andnongovernment entities) can and should
11MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006
be engaged, individually or throughpartnerships, to address the areas ofgreatest research priority andopportunity.
The JSOST has also established anumber of interagency working groups(or IWG’s) to advise, assist, and makerecommendations pertaining to policies,plans, and implementation strategieswhere appropriate. The JSOST haschartered five such IWG’s: theInteragency Working Group on HarmfulAlgal Blooms, Hypoxia, and HumanHealth (IWG-4H); Interagency WorkingGroup on Facilities (IWG-F); theInteragency Working Group on Oceanand Coastal Mapping (IWG-OCM); theInteragency Working Group on OceanObservation (IWG-OO); and theInteragency Working Group on OceanPartnering (IWG-OP).
SETTING OCEAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES
JSOST IN TIME
The Joint Subcommittee on
Ocean Science and Technology(JSOST) is one of two workingsubcommittees under thedirection of the Interagency
Committee on Ocean Science andResource Management Integration(ICOSRMI or, the “Aqua Box”), asestablished by the President’s U.S. OceanAction Plan (OAP). The JSOST is anexpansion of the Joint Subcommittee onOceans, which was established in 2003by the National Science and TechnologyCouncil (NSTC). The JSOST willcontinue to report to the NSTCCommittee on Science, and theCommittee on Environment and NaturalResources, in addition to the ICOSRMI.The members of the committee includeDeputy Assistant Secretaries andrepresentatives from the Executivebranch agencies and departmentsrepresented on the Committee on OceanPolicy. The JSOST is co-chaired byrepresentatives from the Office ofScience and Technology Policy (OSTP),the National Science Foundation (NSF),and the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA).
One of the key action items for theJSOST is establishing national oceanscience and technology priorities. To thatend, the JSOST is currently developingthe Ocean Research Priorities Plan andImplementation Strategy. “Charting theCourse for Ocean Science in the UnitedStates: Research Priorities for the Next
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Artificial reef provides habitat for a variety of marine life.
Organization of the agenciesunder the Committee on
Ocean Policy
