Research Activity Panel: Final Meeting Minutes
Room D258 Earth and Marine Sciences Building
University of California, Santa Cruz
Friday  July 11, 1997
09:00 - 12:30

Introduction of members and guests (G. Cailliet)

Institution Representatives
	Greg Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs - Chair
	Rick Starr, U.C. Sea Grant - Vice Chair
	Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS - RAP Coordinator
	Lisa Ziobro, MBNMS - SAC Coordinator
	Mary Yoklavich, NOAA/NMFS/PFEG
	Jane Caffrey, ESNERR and ESF
	Michael Field, USGS
	Steve Eittreim, USGS
	Chris Harrold, Monterey Bay Aquarium 
	Deborah Johnston, CA DFG/ Monterey
	Jennifer Nielsen, Hopkins Marine Station
	Laura Ehret, Naval Postgraduate School
	Mark Stephenson, CDFG/Mar. Pollution Studies Lab
At-Large
	Caroline Pomeroy, UCSC/CSUMB
	Les Strnad, CA Coastal Commission 
Special Advisors
	Gary Sharp, CIRIOS
Guests
	Jenny Carless, MBNMS Newsletter
	Kip Evans, MBNMS
	Bruce Heyer, UCSC
	Michele Jacobi, MBNMS
	Dan Orange, MBARI
	Don Potts, UCSC
	John Robinson, MBNMS

CONSENT ITEMS:

Modifications to the agenda (G. Cailliet)

The short information item - MBNMS Superintendent future meeting with 
RAP - was replaced by a discussion of the MBNMS Manager position.

Approval of the minutes for May 1997 (G. Cailliet)

The draft minutes from the May 10, 1997 meeting were approved as amended.

PRESENTATIONS

Overview of research activities at the USGS (M. Field)

Michael Field, USGS, presented an overview of the USGS  Program.  Their 
goal is to provide objective and non-adversarial science information.  The 
USGS has four Divisions: Biological Resources, Mapping, Water Resources, 
and Geologic.  The Coastal Marine Program is in the Geologic Division.

The Coastal Marine ProgramÕs primary themes are:
·	environmental quality and preservation - pollution and waste disposal, 
fragile environments, marine reserves and biologic habitats, and geologic 
records of environmental change;
·	natural hazards and public safety - coastal and nearshore erosion, and 
offshore earthquakes and landslides;
·	natural resources - energy resources and marine hard mineral resources;
·	information and technology - systematic sea-floor mapping, information 
bank, assessments, technology and facilities.

Steve Eittreim, USGS, presented an overview of the Coastal Marine 
ProgramÕs Monterey Bay Project.  The Project has two major goals: to map the 
seafloor geology on the MBNMS shelf; and to better understand how 
sediments flow through the sanctuary.

Michael Field and Steve Eittreim concluded their presentations by 
demonstrating amazing new technologies for mapping and viewing geologic 
features.

For more information on USGS marine geology, visit world wide web site:
"http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov" 


DISCUSSIONS

Regional research institution video (K. Evans)

Kip Evans, MBNMS Contract Education Specialist, asked for RAP input for a 
possible video on regional research institutions.  The project will need 
financial support from the participating institutions.  Various input included 
the following:
·	video should reach out to the general public (high school level) rather 
than the research groups; the more technical aspects will be covered by a 
MBARI project;
·	focus on featuring each institution;
·	focus on the individuals working within the Sanctuary rather than on the 
institutions;
· focus on the coalition of supporters of the Sanctuary, not on the array of 
institutions, since the Òlittle peopleÓ who do all the work always get lost; 
the Sanctuary is about people, not institutions;
·	audience maximum span of attention:  20 minutes;
·	providing an accurate depiction of goals and purposes of each institution 
may not be possible;
·	create a general video focusing on institutions and then break into a series 
of videos representing different habitats and whoÕs doing research in 
them;
·	Use the technology and students at CSUMB.

There was a general consensus that a it would be most effective to have a 
video: focus on central California as an important marine area, briefly review 
the diverse habitats, provide a map of research institutions in the region, 
then interview scientists on a broad range of topics from the regional research 
institutions.  At the same time, CSUMB students could put together videos 
for each separate research institution.

Using the above input, Kip Evans will put together a more comprehensive 
outline for the project and Andrew DeVogelaere will collect contacts at each 
research institution.

SHORT INFORMATION ITEMS

Verbal items:

Summary of the last SAC meeting (G. Cailliet)

Greg reported on the June 6, 1997 Council meeting, with emphasis on the 
status of the proposed Ed Ricketts Underwater Park.  It is unclear at this time 
whether or not there will be an oversight committee for scientific and 
educational take.  At this time, regulations have not be established by the City 
of Monterey, and the City of Pacific Grove has made no decisions regarding 
the proposed park.  See the minutes of the SAC meeting for more detail 
(http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov).

MBNMS Research Coordinator Contract (A. De Vogelaere, G. Cailliet)

Andrew reported on the status of the Research Coordinator Contract.  
Applications are due by July 25, 1997 and a selection will be made by August 
21, 1997.  The contract will be for three years.

Les Strnad stated that the contract process is inappropriate for the Research 
Coordinator Position and that if a full-time government position is not 
available, then the contracts for Research Coordinator should be a minimum 
of five years.  Because research projects are multi-year projects, there is a need 
for consistency and continuity with the Research Coordinator position, and if 
this is not established, RAP members may resign.

Status of proposed marine legislation (C. Pomeroy)

Carrie Pomeroy reviewed the current status of legislation action.  RAP 
members asked for Òred flagsÓ which Carrie pointed out is difficult due to a 
wide range of interests.  Greg Cailliet suggested that the RAP refer to handout 
Steve Webster supplied to the SAC at the June 6 meeting.  John Robinson, 
MBNMS, has been appointed as the Sanctuary point person to track the 
legislation. John agreed to put together a two-page report for each RAP 
meeting.  Les Strnad encouraged Carrie to continue to be a point person for 
RAP issues.

MBNMS Superintendent position (G. Cailliet)

Greg opened discussion on the memo SRD Chief Stephanie Thornton sent to 
the Sanctuary staff and SAC informing them that Carol Fairfield has been 
temporarily reassigned to other duties.

Gary Sharp proposed that the RAP contact Nancy Foster to ask for an 
explanation.  Rick Starr suggested that the letter state RAP concerns regarding 
the process; for example, significant local matching funds support the 
Sanctuary and the RAP should be considered in significant issues such as this.  
The money being spent on several transitional salaries and relocation costs 
could be used more effectively for Sanctuary programs.

Les Strnad questioned the decision to make Joanne Flanders the Interim 
Manager rather than Terry Jackson.

Greg Cailliet agreed to draft the letter to Nancy Foster.  Chris Harrold listed 
three issues to include:  the effect of these recent decisions on the Sanctuary 
staffÕs ability to do their jobs; mismanagement of funds; that the SAC and 
working groups deserve clear explanations for such significant decisions.   It 
was suggested that copies of the letter should go to James Baker and Sam Farr.

Proposed Kelp Cooperative Kelp Ecologist (A. De Vogelaere)

Andrew announced that the Monterey Bay Kelp Cooperative is looking for a 
kelp ecologist, and has specifically requested that MBNMS staff approach 
Professor Michael Foster.  Les Strnad stated that RAP participation is not 
appropriate because the Cooperative is illegal according the State regulations.  
The kelp bed in question is ÒopenÓ not leased.  According to Les, the kelp 
harvesters should go through the appropriate channels to change the 
classification of this kelp bed area.

RAP members expressed the opinion that it is not the groupÕs role to provide 
this type of information, rather, the kelp harvesters should hire a consultant.

The Sanctuary Scientific Research Plan (A. De Vogelaere)

Andrew asked the RAP if they wanted to update the Appendix C:  Priorities 
for Specific Disciplines.  The RAP wanted the separate sections sent back to 
their authors, and new RAP members with interest in specific topics, and 
have them determine if any changes are necessary.

IMBI Update (Don Potts) 

The IMBI Committee  has approached the Packard Foundation for funding 
and is waiting for a response.  A two-page report reviewing biodiversity 
projects will be e-mailed to the RAP. 

WRITTEN ITEMS (no discussion unless there are questions):

Essential Fish Habitats (C. A. Murray) 
	Thanks to all for the invitation to address MBNMS RAP meeting on 
July 11 or August 8th on the NWFSC plans on EFH.  As of now, I am 
scheduled to be in Juneau the week of July 11 and in DC on the 8th.  Please 
extend my regrets to the group, as I would have thoroughly enjoyed having a 
dialogue with your group.
	The current plan for the $120,000 that has been advanced to the NW 
region is to, in part, engage IPAs.  These are preliminary plans being 
developed between the Regional Office and the Science Center.  The Science 
Center's work is being spearheaded by Dr. Michael Schiewe who will be 
heading up our new Ocean and Estuarine program, as part of the Fish Ecology 
Division.

Elkhorn Slough Water Monitoring Update (J. Caffrey)
   	I wanted to update the RAP about the water quality monitoring and 
how things went with the county.  Mark and I met with the planning 
committee to the Board of the Water Resources Agency.  Kathy Thomasberg 
made a brief presentation introducing us and Mark and I gave our talk.  It was 
quite well received, so instead of cutting us by 50%, they are only going to cut 
us by 25%.  We're going to cut out the chloride and conductivity analyses that 
the county does, since we can do conductivity with the solomat.  We're also 
going to try to get a volunteer to help filter the samples since that is one of the 
really slow steps for the county in doing the analyses.  Kathy was really 
impressed and we were pleased by the committee's enthusiasm for the 
monitoring project.  So, we have a little breathing space until next year when 
the budgets will be an issue again.  We're hoping to get some monetary 
support from the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, since some of 
the stations are under their jurisdiction as well. 

Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (A. De Vogelaere)
	Relevant milestones to the RAP in the FY 97 Operating Plan include: 
(1) redirecting development of the National Marine Sanctuary system-wide 
science plan for research, monitoring, and restoration to reflect the revised 
National Marine Sanctuary Strategic Plan (2) completing field testing and 
incorporating changes suggested by field sites on the new streamlined 
National Marine Sanctuary permit process.

Discussion and Review of Man-Made Sound in the Sea, with a focus on the 
proposed Navy surveillance operation (A. De Vogelaere)
	Michele Jacobi and Dan Costa have completed a draft bibliography on 
the topic.

California Coastal Commission Request Regarding Aquaculture (A. De 
Vogelaere)
	On May 29, a compilation of RAP comments on abalone aquaculture 
issues was forwarded to the California Coastal Commission.

Great American Fish Count (M. Jacobi/A. De Vogelaere)
	RAP members are still working on reviews of the workplan.

Light in the Deep Sea Report (R. Kochevar)
	In progress

California Biodiversity Council: Science Coordinating Committee (A. De 
Vogelaere)
	The 1997 objectives and workplan are provided in a handout

NMS Research Reports, see handout (A. De Vogelaere/J. Roletto)
	see handout

Permit Report (S. Kathey)
	See handout

NEW BUSINESS

Les Strnad announced the upcoming Coastal Zone Conference and the 
National Marine Educators meeting.

ADJOURN
RAP Meeting Minutes - 7/11/97		FINAL




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