Director announced for Maine Coastal Program of Maine Dept. of Marine Resources – PenBay Pilot

Report on New Leadership for the Maine Coastal Program and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the appointment of Dr. Jocelyn Runnebaum as the new Director of the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ Maine Coastal Program (MCP). The appointment signals a reinforced commitment to addressing critical environmental and community challenges through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Runnebaum’s extensive experience in marine science, policy, and collaborative management is poised to advance the state’s objectives, particularly concerning climate action, marine ecosystem health, and community resilience.

2.0 Appointment and Transition Details

• Appointee: Jocelyn Runnebaum, Ph.D.
• New Position: Director, Maine Coastal Program (MCP)
• Effective Date: August 4
• Predecessor: Kathleen Leyden (retired)
• Previous Role: Marine Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Dr. Runnebaum will oversee federal, state, and local partnerships to manage initiatives targeting coastal natural resource conservation and sustainable development. The MCP is scheduled for an administrative transfer from the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to the newly established Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) in the fall, a move designed to enhance coordinated support for municipalities and tribal governments.

3.0 Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The priorities of the MCP and the professional background of its new Director demonstrate a strong alignment with several key SDGs. The program’s focus areas are integral to achieving global sustainability targets at the state and local levels.

3.1 Primary Focus: SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Dr. Runnebaum’s mandate and experience directly support the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and urgent action to combat climate change.

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water: Her career has centered on improving the ecological health of the Gulf of Maine.
   • At TNC, she advanced evidence-based policies for sustainable aquaculture and climate-resilient fisheries.
   • She has conducted significant research on the environmental benefits of kelp aquaculture, contributing to sustainable food systems (SDG 2) and marine conservation.
   • Her work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and as a commercial salmon fisher provides practical experience in sustainable fisheries management.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action: The MCP is a primary vehicle for implementing Maine’s climate resilience strategies.
   • A key priority is the implementation of “Maine Won’t Wait,” the state’s climate action plan.
   • Her research has examined fishermen’s perceptions of climate change impacts, informing adaptive management strategies.
   • She has served on the New England Fisheries Management Council’s Climate and Ecosystem Steering Committee, advising on the integration of climate data into management processes.

3.2 Supporting Community and Economic Resilience

The MCP’s work extends to ensuring the long-term viability of coastal communities and economies, aligning with SDGs 8, 9, and 11.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The “Resilient Maine” program focuses on making coastal communities more resilient through habitat restoration, working waterfront conservation, and enhanced coastal literacy (SDG 4). The MCP’s future home in the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) further strengthens this link by focusing on coordinated support for municipalities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By focusing on the conservation of working waterfronts and the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, the program supports the economic foundation of coastal Maine.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Dr. Runnebaum’s work with the Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium to support low-impact renewable energy development contributes to building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable innovation.

3.3 Commitment to Global Partnerships

The operational model of the MCP and Dr. Runnebaum’s career reflect a deep commitment to collaborative action, a cornerstone of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• The MCP’s core function is to coordinate partnerships between federal, state, and local entities.
• Her past roles involved extensive collaboration with resource managers, industry partners, scientists, and fishing communities.
• Her international experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, working with fish farmers, underscores a global perspective on sustainable development and food security (SDG 2).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on Dr. Jocelyn Runnebaum’s new role as Director of the Maine Coastal Program (MCP) highlights several issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on marine conservation and climate action, with strong elements of sustainable energy and partnerships.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. Dr. Runnebaum’s entire career and the focus of the MCP are centered on marine and coastal environments. The text explicitly mentions “Oceans and Coast program,” “Marine Program Manager,” “coastal natural resource conservation,” “habitat restoration,” “marine and coastal conservation initiatives,” “ecological health of the Gulf of Maine,” “climate resilient fisheries,” and “sustainable aquaculture.” These all fall directly under the purview of protecting and sustainably using marine resources.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article repeatedly emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change. It mentions the implementation of “Maine Won’t Wait, Maine’s award-winning climate plan,” the “Resilient Maine program,” and a focus on “climate resilience.” Dr. Runnebaum’s work also includes studying “fishermen’s perceptions of the impacts of climate change” and advising committees on incorporating climate information into management, directly linking to climate action and adaptation.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article is built around the theme of collaboration. It describes the MCP’s role in coordinating “federal/state/local partnerships” and highlights Dr. Runnebaum’s history of “working collaboratively with resource managers, industry partners, and scientists.” Specific partnerships mentioned include the “NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Resource Advisory Committee,” the “New England Fisheries Management Council’s Climate and Ecosystem Steering Committee,” and the “Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium.” The planned move of the MCP to the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) to work with “municipalities, tribal governments and regional councils” further underscores this goal.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This goal is addressed through the mention of Dr. Runnebaum’s work “to support low-impact offshore wind development” as part of the “Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium.” Offshore wind is a key renewable energy source, and focusing on its “low-impact” development aligns with the goal of sustainable and clean energy.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article connects environmental work to community well-being. The MCP’s priorities include “working waterfront conservation” and building “climate resilience” for “Maine’s coastal communities.” The establishment of MOCA to create “stronger, more resilient communities” by engaging with municipalities directly supports the aim of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.” This is directly addressed by the MCP’s focus on “coastal natural resource conservation,” “habitat restoration,” and improving the “ecological health of the Gulf of Maine.”
   • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices…” This is relevant to Dr. Runnebaum’s work on “climate resilient fisheries,” “sustainable aquaculture,” and her advisory role on the “New England Fisheries Management Council.”
   • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” This is supported by her background as a Ph.D. in Marine Biology, her work “working collaboratively with… scientists,” authoring “numerous studies” (e.g., on kelp aquaculture), and incorporating “ecosystem information and fishermen’s knowledge into management processes.”

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” This is a core theme, evidenced by the “Resilient Maine program” and the focus on “climate resilience” for coastal communities and fisheries.
   • Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The article explicitly mentions the “implementation of Maine Won’t Wait, Maine’s award-winning climate plan” as a priority for the MCP.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” This is connected to the work supporting “low-impact offshore wind development.”

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article is replete with examples, including the MCP’s coordination of “federal/state/local partnerships,” collaboration with “industry partners, and scientists,” and participation in various committees and consortiums.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.2: The number and success rate of “habitat restoration” projects undertaken by the MCP. The overall “ecological health of the Gulf of Maine” could be another, measured through scientific assessments.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.4: The adoption of new management policies for “climate resilient fisheries” and the growth of “sustainable aquaculture” operations, such as “kelp aquaculture.”
   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.a: The number of “studies” and “journal articles” published, and the formal incorporation of “ecosystem information and fishermen’s knowledge into management processes.”

2. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 13.1: The number of coastal communities with implemented climate resilience plans under the “Resilient Maine program.”
   • Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: The progress and completion of milestones outlined in the “Maine Won’t Wait” climate plan.

3. Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 7.2: The progress of “offshore wind development” projects, including planning, approval, and construction stages, facilitated by the “Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium.”

4. Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: The number of active “federal/state/local partnerships” and multi-stakeholder initiatives (like the advisory committees and consortiums mentioned) that the MCP is actively coordinating or participating in.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: penbaypilot.com