[Coral-List] Trump's MPAs

[Nicole Crane]

Hi everyone,
I agree that being proactive is a good idea.  However, I also think that having that list might be just the ‘evidence’ or at least justification (that for example there are low priority areas) for the agency responsible to make those cuts.  In some ways, this might just be under their radar enough for them to not even think about it amidst all of the other changes they are working towards.  Perhaps having that list prepared (amongst our community), in case it becomes critical, is a good idea, but not disseminating it?  I have been seeking counsel from those I know in federal elected positions, and this is my hunch.  But I’m happy to have feedback, and do encourage others with political connections to seek further counsel too.

I do think we should do our homework first however before providing recommendations that might become an excuse to do exactly what many of us fear.

On another note, there may be some opportunities here.  I have had some unexpected luck with senate committees that I expected not to support marine conservation.  When put to them that community based conservation will likely enhance food security (a national security concern too), and possibly reduce dependency on foreign aid (eg. ours) if applied effectively, it can get a very positive response. I think its a critical time for us to evaluate how we approach conservation (in terms of selling it), what the message is, and to be strategic about the stated outcomes.  I’m probably stating the obvious here, but psychology and strategy are more important than ever.

Hang in colleagues, this will be a bit of a journey….

Nicole

> On Dec 5, 2016, at 11:30 AM, Lance Morgan <Lance.Morgan at marine-conservation.org> wrote:
> 
> New report on marine reserves in US 
> 
> The report: https://marine-conservation.org/media/filer_public/filer_public/2016/12/01/seastates_us_2016_web.pdf
> 
> The PR: https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2016/12/seastates-2016.html
> 
> Cheers, 
> Lance
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Paul Sammarco
> Sent: Monday, December 5, 2016 7:31 AM
> To: 'David Medio' <davidmedio123 at gmail.com>; coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Trump's MPAs
> 
> Dear David and Coral-List folks,
> 
> If the political trend is to reduce MPA number and size within US jurisdiction, then it might be wise to prioritize what exists now and pass those priorities along to the new Executive Branch of the US Government.  That is, if we have to lose something, which are those areas we really want to save - above all others, which are of medium rank, and which areas can we put up with losing, if we absolutely have to.  If we do this prioritization in advance, we will be the first cab off the rank with recommendations to government, saving them a lot of work, which they might be grateful for.  Plus, the relevant agencies will be reviewing this material and considering it for comment, and may not have to come up with their own rankings de novo.  Even if so, those rankings would hopefully be similar to our own.  
> 
> Food for thought.
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> Paul W. Sammarco, Ph.D.
> Professor
> Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON)
> 8124 Hwy. 56
> Chauvin, LA  70344-2110
> 
> 1-985-851-2876 (tel)
> 1-985-851-2874 (FAX)
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> psammarco at lumcon.edu
> www.lumcon.edu
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of David Medio
> Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2016 11:10 AM
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: [Coral-List] Trump's MPAs
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> I would tend to agree with Paul.
> 
> This is no political forum, but MPAs are.
> 
> Not only is it better to address the issue before things ‘heat up’, but when the president-elect moves in on January 20th, I suspect there will be some rather more pressing issues for him and his administration to deal with.
> 
> David
> 
> 
> Dr David Medio
> Independent Marine Scientist
> Honorary Visiting Fellow, University of York
> Email: davidmedio123 at gmail.com <mailto:davidmedio123 at gmail.com>
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