Research Activity Panel: Meeting Minutes Monterey Bay Aquarium Friday, May 10, 1997 09:00 - 12:00 Introduction of members and guests (G. Cailliet) Institution Representatives Greg Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs- Chair Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS- RAP Coordinator Jane Delay, MBNMS- SAC Coordinator Jane Caffrey, ESNERR and ESF Michael Field, USGS Chris Harrold, Monterey Bay Aquarium Randy Kochevar, Monterey Bay Aquarium Deborah Johnston, CA DFG/ Monterey Rikk Kvitek, CSUMB Dennis Powers, Hopkins Marine Station Jennifer Nielsen, Hopkins Marine Station Leslie Rosenfeld, Naval Postgraduate School Mark Stephenson, CDFG/Mar. Pollution Studies Lab Karen Worcester, Regional Water Quality Control Board; Morro Bay Foundation At-Large Caroline Pomeroy, UCSC/CSUMB Les Strnad, CA Coastal Commission Guests Scott Benson, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories James Brennan, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Bruce Heyer, UCSC Michele Jacobi, MBNMS Aaron King, MBNMS Steve Webster, Monterey Bay Aquarium/Sanctuary Advisory Council CONSENT ITEMS: Modifications to the agenda (G. Cailliet) Two short Information items were added to the Agenda: 1) Essential fish habitat studies and recent NMFS grants; and 2)Announcements by Jane Caffrey about events at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Approval of the minutes for April 1997 (G. Cailliet) The draft minutes from the April 11, 1997 meeting were approved as amended. PRESENTATIONS Overview of activities at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (C. Harrold) Chris Harrold presented an overview of Monterey Bay AquariumÕs three main research efforts : 1) the Tuna Research and Conservation Program , a joint collaborative effort with Hopkins Marine Station; 2) the Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program which consists of exhibits, rescuing stranded animals, and a focus on research. The MBA recognizes the opportunities associated with working on such a well known/ loved organism and how their facilities are ideal for needed research on basic otter biology; and 3) deep sea research for developing new exhibits -- the plan is to open a special exhibit on the deep sea in March 1999. The focus will be on live deep sea species. Part of the special exhibit will be to assess how visitors respond to the deep sea exhibits and how well Aquarium staff is gauging visitor expectations. 1996 Marine Bird and Mammal Surveys in Monterey Bay (S. Benson) Scott Benson/ Jim Harvey provided a written and verbal report on the distribution of marine birds and mammals in the Monterey Bay. These patterns will be correlated with seafloor topography and the distribution of prey patches. The project was funded by MBNMS. Update on ATOC experiments (D. Costa) [tentative item] The ATOC update has been postponed until the July meeting. DISCUSSIONS Great American Fish Count (A. De Vogelaere) Andrew De Vogeleare provided some background information about the Great American Fish Count. Andrew described the program as the seaward version of the National Audubon SocietyÕs Christmas bird count -- where birders around the nation count what they see, at the same time period, across the nation. Gary Davis, with the National Park Service, has worked to institute a similar program for the ocean using volunteer divers. The goals of the Fish Count are to teach volunteers to identify and record data on specific fish species. It is hoped that the information will then be used to assess the health of the fish populations. The Great American Fish Count has expanded from a statewide effort in California, to a national activity, with several major institutions and agencies, such as the National Marine Sanctuary Program, contributing financial support. Kip Evans, MBNMS and WQPP Education specialist, received a protocol for teaching volunteers how to identify fish and collect samples. He has requested that RAP members review the document and provide comments RAP members Chris Harrold, Rikk Kvitek and guest Bruce Heyer offered to review the protocol. Andrew will also pass the protocol to George Boehlert and Mary Yoklavich for their review. Rikk Kvitek suggested that there be a way to archive videos of the Fish Count, arguing that visual information would provided useful information about trends in fish populations. LTER in the Monterey Bay region (G. Cailliet) The National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program has announced a request for proposals. After some debate, RAP members agreed that the Monterey Bay region would be an ideal location to implement focused studies concerning marine-terrestrial interactions, but decided that the NSF deadline did not allow adequate time to prepare a viable proposal. For the meantime, Rikk Kvitek informed the RAP that the SIVA Center at CSUMB will be developing a three-dimensional model to study land-sea interactions. Once established, the Model could provide background for obtaining a future LTER grant. Format and topics for the Sanctuary Currents Symposium (R. Starr/A. De Vogelaere/C. Pomeroy) RAP members discussed the Sanctuary Currents Symposium and made additions to their current list of suggestions, as found on Page 5 of the April 11, 1997 meeting minutes. RAP comments were as follows: · Use the fishing exhibit from the Monterey Bay Aquarium as one way to demonstrate the cumulative impacts to the resources from human activities; · Create a video of the marine science institutions in the region. The video would visually describe institutional projects and programs in a way easy for the general public to assimilate. This could be used as a method for informing the general public about the importance of the work done by each of the institutions. RAP members suggested that Sanctuary staff, namely, Kip Evans, could produce the videos with support from the film department and service learning institute at CSUMB. RAP members commented that this kind of approach to the poster session would help expose the public and students of all levels to the realm of marine science and excite them about the work and possibilities. · Invite Rick Starr to facilitate a workshop on how to generate a poster. The workshop could take place in the habitat center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. · Capture public interest by offering a session on the science behind many of the events that were reported in the media throughout the past year. For example: theories behind the big sardine die -off; the truth about rip currents or rip tides; and the sea lion invasion of the Coast Guard piers. · Encourage people to produce posters both for display and electronic versions to use on the web page. Rick Starr was suggested to assist in including this into the Sanctuary Currents program format. The list of RAP suggestions will be forwarded to AMBAGÕs Symposium planning committee. Monterey City Council decision on the proposed underwater park (S. Webster) Steve Webster provided an update on the decision by the Monterey City Council regarding the proposed underwater park. The City Council of Monterey voted 4-1 to establish the Edward F. Ricketts Underwater Park. The Pacific Grove City Council will decide at a later date. The Monterey City Council's final decision prohibits spear fishing and restricts the take of kelp to harvesters from the city of Monterey. The decision allows hook and line fishing from shore and skiffs, squid fishing, and scientific/educational collection if Ònecessary.Ó ÒNecessaryÓ will be defined by an oversight committee. The oversight committee will be comprised of about eight members -- a diver, a conservation person, a RAP member, a kayaker, a fisherman, and a few other interest groups. The committee will monitor the park and will report back to the City Council in one year. Who picks this committee is still not clear. The Pacific Grove City Council has yet to meet and there were some ideas for how the situation could be packaged in a more positive light. Rikk Kvitek suggested that the results of the Monterey City Council decision might be a unique opportunity for the research community to learn valuable information about fishing impacts to the marine environment. Rikk argued that if the underwater park could be divided into two sections -- one where fishing was allowed and one where it wasnÕt -- and if a monitoring program could be instituted, scientists should be able to compare the two sides and determine differences. The RAP was responsive to RikkÕs ideas and agreed that this was an opportunity for the scientific community to respond constructively. Rikk emphasized that policy makers respond to visual images; therefore, any future presentations to the City Councils should include something to that effect. Video footage taken from Hopkins Marine Station, a protected area within the vicinity of the underwater park, compared with footage taken from outside the refuge might be an effective tool. RAP members debated the outcome of the underwater park decision and the implications for the research community. In essence, the RAP considered this issue as another example of the difficulties for integrating science into the general policy making process. During the discussion, RAP members tried to pinpoint where they, as individual scientists, need to mobilize better to make sure that facts are considered. The RAP also talked about the need to convey pertinent scientific information to City Council members and other politicians in a manner that doesnÕt alienate them, and how to do so more pro-actively rather than in response to a crisis. The RAP decided on the following action: 1) To speak with Monterey City Councilwoman and SAC Representative, Ruth Vreeland, about RAP concerns and options as presented during this meeting; 2) To address a letter to the SAC expressing RAP sentiments that a monitoring program needs to be implemented that measures the efficacy of the proposed marine refuge including the effects of fishing, diving, etc.; 3) That a video be produced demonstrating the impacts of fishing. The RAP suggested first contacting Nicole Crane for video footage from the Hopkins Marine Reserve and to call Michele Paddack for her charts and other visual materials on fish population characteristics from the Hopkins area. Rikk volunteered his students from CSUMB to help gather footage. Andrew agreed contact Nicole Crane. Greg will present the material on behalf of the RAP to the Pacific Grove City Council. RAP interest in commenting on a general guidance document for dredging projects in the Sanctuary's four harbors (A. De Vogelaere/P. Cotter) Patrick Cotter, MBNMS Environmental Scientist, is preparing a general guidance document on dredging projects in the SanctuaryÕs four harbors. The California Coastal Commission will be reviewing a draft of the document on June 11, 1997. RAP members were asked and agreed to review the document and provide comments. Annual working group barbecue (A. De Vogelaere) The RAP decided in favor of inviting the Conservation Working Group and the Sanctuary Education Panel to its 1997 Annual barbecue. A date, time, and location will be announced. SHORT INFORMATION ITEMS Verbal items: Status on MBNMS Superintendent and Research positions (G. Cailliet) Greg reported that he continues to lobby in favor of a GS position, rather than short term contracts for the SanctuaryÕs Research Coordinator position. This is important for stability in research programs and would demonstrate the commitment of MBNMS to science based decision making. The new MBNMS Superintendent, Carol Fairfield, will start in July. She will be invited to attend a RAP meeting at her earliest convenience. Status of proposed marine legislation (C. Pomeroy) Carrie Pomeroy reported that there has been, and will continue to be, a lot of activity in Sacramento in terms of Coastal Bills being heard in Committee. A number of Bills relate to water quality, fisheries, watershed management, and mussel watch issues throughout the State. With respect to Assemblyman KeeleyÕs Bills which the RAP heard about and provided input, AB1000 was amended and referred to another Committee -- it will be voted on in the November 1998 election, and Bill 1241 has been put over as a two year Bill, meaning that there will not be definitive action taken on it this year. Carrie has been invited to participate on the Legislative Task Force of the Sanctuary Advisory Council. Members of the Task Force include: Steve Webster (SAC At-Large Representative) who will serve as Chair; Rachel Saunders (SAC Conservation Representative); Tami Grove (SAC Coastal Commission Representative); Dave Danbom (SAC Fishing Representative); Brain Baird (SAC California Resources Agency Representative); and Ann Notthoff ( Senior Planner for the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco). The Task Force will have its first meeting on June 5, 1997. Carrie will provide a more detailed report to the RAP at its July meeting. ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA: National Marine Fisheries Services Grants (A. DeVogelaere) Carol Murray, from the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle, Washington, visited the Monterey Bay region. She has two large grants to study essential fish habitats and wants suggestions on how to use the funds. RAP members suggested that she be invited to attend a RAP meeting and be given time on the agenda to describe the funding opportunities in more detail. A written description of the funding opportunities should be requested in the event that she is unable to attend an upcoming RAP meeting. Elkhorn Slough Updates (J. Caffrey) Jane Caffrey had two announcements regarding ESNERR/ ESF: 1)The Mothers Day Event will be on Sunday, May 11, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM -- all are invited. 2) The ESNERR/ ESF 8-year water quality monitoring program is in danger of losing substantial financial support from Monterey County. Monterey is considering ways to lower expenses and may reduce the amount of support to the SloughÕs monitoring program. The reduction of funds would be significant enough to damage the integrity of the long-term water quality database. Jane Caffrey and Mark Silberstein are requesting letters and developing fact sheets about the program to enlist some support. RAP members agreed to send a letter of support once they receive more information about how the data is being used. Greg and Andrew will circulate a report on the SloughÕs program and solicit comments from RAP members. Based upon the comments received, a letter from the RAP will be generated. Introduction of Karen Worcester, new Regional Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator Karen Worcester was introduced to the RAP in her new capacity as the Regional Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator. She informed the RAP that her first priority in her new position will be to compile all available information and then determine what needs to be done from there. Karen admitted that data management would be a challenge and she will be searching for an appropriate data repository. SheÕs planning on putting together a technical advisory group to start prioritizing some of the water quality issues. WRITTEN ITEMS (no discussion unless there are questions): 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 are compiling a bibliography on the topic. Discussion and Review of several Aquaculture Proposals (A. De Vogelaere) Comments from the RAP members have been received and are being compiled and forwarded to the California Coastal Commission. Feedback on the Light in the Deep Sea Report (R. Kochevar) Send e-mails directly to Randy Kochevar. NMS Research Reports, see handout (A. De Vogelaere/J. Roletto) -- See handout. Summary of the SAC meeting (G. Cailliet) The SAC has not met since the last RAP meeting. Permit Report (S. Kathey) -- See handout McArthur (A. De Vogelaere) Mellie Lewis has been selected as the NOAA Teacher-At-Sea. She is from Atholton Elementary School in Columbia, Maryland. Swath-mapping images were presented at UC Santa Cruz on May 7 (M. Field) The USGS has established a new effort in seafloor mapping to accurately map seafloor geology of the slope, shelf and shoreface. The information is being obtained for a variety of projects funded by the USGS and other agencies to determine bedrock geology, processes and products of sediment transport, character of biologic habitats, disposal sites, and geologic hazards. The heart of the system is the EM1000 high-resolution swath mapping system which produces very accurate depth information (vertical resolution of 30 cm) as well as accurately located back-scatter information (similar to sidescan sonar). The resulting information is processed in near-real time and can be viewed in hard copy or displayed and manipulated on a Silicon Graphics workstation. Jim Gardner is the lead scientist in this new mapping program. Thus far we have obtained, in cooperation with Larry Mayer at University of New Bruswick and C&C Technologies in New Orleans, spectacular data sets from offshore Eureka (ONR study), Santa Monica Bay (USGS study), and in central San Francisco Bay (USGS/NOAA study), and southern Monterey Bay (USGS/Ft. Ord study). NOAA Staff changes (press release) Dr. Stan Wilson, assistant administrator for ocean and coastal zone management, will take on a new assignment to serve as senior advisor on ocean issues and as NOAA deputy chief scientist. Specifically, he will lead NOAA's participation in organizing and implementing its objectives in support of the United Nations' 1998 Year of the Ocean. Wilson will continue to serve as the U.S. delegate to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Dr. Nancy Foster, deputy assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will assume the assistant administrator responsibilities for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. Foster's charge is to direct and implement the operational, structural and cultural organization changes necessary to strengthen NOAA's ocean and coastal programs. Dr. David Evans, acting deputy assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service, will assume the responsibilities of deputy assistant administrator for NMFS. Dr. Evans' scientific credentials and management expertise provide an excellent foundation to contribute to important fisheries management issues and linkages to broader coastal responsibilities. Items for future meetings · Review of the revised Sanctuary Scientific Research Plan; · Update on the efforts to establish a Sea Camp in California modeled after NASAÕs Space Camp. SEA GRANT is sponsoring a scoping workshop in November. ADJOURN Research Activity Panel Meeting 5/10/97 FINAL 7