Science, Policy and Partnerships

Successful recovery of the Salish Sea requires collaboration between scientists (both biophysical and social) and policy/decision makers. Without this relationship we find ourselves with scientific research that is not relevant to decision making and decisions made without a strong scientific foundation, and without the support of the science community. While there is a great deal of good scientific work currently available to enhance ecosystem recovery decision-making, many of the questions that decision makers currently face require further investigation to address critical uncertainties, or at minimum, collection of data through environmental monitoring or social surveys to fill important gaps. However, it is critical that science does not impede early ecosystem-scale recovery actions; we do have sufficient knowledge to take action. In this panel session we will discuss the relationships between science and policy communities in ecosystem recovery efforts in the Salish Sea, including the science foundation for early action and the science and policy knowledge gaps for recovery at the scale of the Salish Sea. Panel members will include both US and Canadian professionals involved in the science and policy of ecosystem-based management for the Salish Sea. Panelists will consider and discuss such topics as:• An overview of Salish Sea status and trends and what they are really telling us and how should the status and trends influence policy and science• Examples of successes and challenges in science/policy collaboration. • Social constructs and behaviors needed for successful ecosystem recovery• Identified opportunities, specific approaches, and current challenges for science to more effectively inform policy decision-making. Panelists:Katharine Wellman –Moderator, Vice Chair Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel John Stein, Chair Puget Sound Partnership Science Panel Joel Baker, Puget Sound Institute, University of Washington Angela Bonifaci, US Environmental Protection Agency Tracy Collier, Puget Sound Partnership Thomas Leschine, School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of WashingtonIan Perry, Department of Fish and Oceans, Canada Terre Satterfield, University of British Columbi

Estimating the economic benefits of regional ocean observing systems

We develop a methodology to estimate the potential economic benefits from new investments in regional coastal ocean observing systems in US waters, and apply this methodology to generate preliminary estimates of such benefits. The approach focuses on potential economic benefits from coastal ocean observing information within ten geographic regions encompassing all coastal waters of the United States, and within a wide range of industrial and recreational activities including recreational fishing and boating, beach recreation, maritime transportation, search and rescue operations, spill response, marine hazards prediction, offshore energy, power generation, and commercial fishing. Our findings suggest that annual benefits to users from the deployment of ocean observing systems are likely to run in the multiple $100s of millions of dollars per year. The project results should be considered first-order estimates that are subject to considerable refinement as the parameters of regional observing systems are better defined, and as our understanding of user sectors improves.Funding was provided by the Office of Naval Research under Grant No. N00014-02-1-1037

The Economic Impacts of the SCUBA Industry and Implications for Marine Protected Areas

While SCUBA diving conditions may not resemble those of the tropics, Washington State provides some of the most spectacular diving in the United States. The flora, fauna and seafloor topography of this area are sensational. However, there is little, if any, information regarding the economic impacts that this recreational sector provides the state of Washington. To fill this gap we designed and implemented a survey of resident divers and dive shop owners in order to collect data on perceptions of the quality of sites, attributes of a preferred sites, number of dives or number of shop employees, expenditures to participate in the sport or run a dive business, and demographic information. The survey was designed to ask pertinent questions needed to characterize the role of SCUBA in inland waters to the Washington State economy. Using the INPLAN model we generated estimates of the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of participation in SCUBA and dive shop operations. The information generated by this assessment will help inform effective coastal and marine resource management and policy decision making especially as relates to marine protected areas and marine spatial planning