FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date Published: Monday, November 21, 2022
Washington, D.C. Monday, November 21, 2022 — On November 18, 2022, U.S. commercial fishing industry leaders and participants submitted recommendations to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to inform the development of a U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP). The letter outlined nine specific actions necessary to develop an OCAP that is inclusive and protects the seafood industry’s role in contributing to food security, the economy, and the culture and heritage of our coastal communities. It was signed by 49 individuals from seafood harvesters, processors, and associations representing a wide array of fisheries from Maine to Alaska and California to North Carolina. The recommendations are based on a November 15 comment letter submitted by the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA).
The recommendations stress items including:
- The importance of collecting, understanding and incorporating fishermen’s ecological knowledge in climate policy;
- Acknowledging the role of commercial fishing to the nation’s overall well-being;
- The significance of a fully informed decision-making process considering costs, impacts and benefits; and
- The need to prioritize and enhance collaborations between agencies and stakeholders.
On October 4, 2022, OSTP released a Request for Information announcing its preparation of an OCAP, which would span multiple activities from increasing offshore wind energy to conserving marine areas to reducing shipping emissions. RODA’s response letter points to the importance of federal support for a thriving domestic seafood industry–a cornerstone of coastal economies and communities that is often overlooked in high-level ocean policies.
RODA’s West Coast Director Mike Conroy states, “OSTP has the opportunity to include those on the front lines of climate change. Our members stand ready to assist in the development of an OCAP that incorporates their knowledge and experience. Working collaboratively to consider and implement ocean-based climate solutions that protect U.S. food security while maintaining our ability to provide a low climate impact source of protein represents a win-win scenario.”
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About Responsible Offshore Development Alliance
Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) is a broad membership-based coalition of fishing industry associations and fishing companies — across the United States — committed to improving the compatibility of new offshore development with their businesses. The Alliance works to directly collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies, scientists, and others to coordinate science and policy approaches to managing development of the Outer Continental Shelf in a way that minimizes conflicts with existing traditional and historical fishing.
Connect with RODA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Contact: mike@rodafisheries.org or annie@rodafisheries.org