Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Research Activity Panel
Purpose and Protocols
May 2006
Purpose of the RAP:
- Advise sanctuary staff on conservation science issues1 that will influence policy (e.g. address research questions in the Joint Management Plan (JMP))
- Review of research issues and documents for SAC and sanctuary staff
- Facilitate the exchange of regional research information and create opportunities for project coordination
- Convey regional research needs and opportunities to the SAC
Membership:
- Membership criteria:
- Expertise in disciplines relevant to the sanctuary
- Willingness to serve on the RAP and provide community service
- Affiliation with one or more regional marine science institutions
- Connectivity to the regional marine science community
- Multidisciplinary research interests
- Membership will contain a group of disciplines relevant to the sanctuary, such as 2,3:
- Biological Oceanography
- Deep-sea Ecology
- Estuarine Ecology
- Fisheries
- Marine and Coastal Geology
- Marine Conservation Biology
- Marine Policy
- Nearshore Ecology
- Physical Oceanography
- Shelf and Slope Ecology
- Social Sciences
- Water Quality
- Membership should reflect the broadest marine science institutional diversity possible. Regional institutions from which to seek membership:
- Universities and associated marine labs
- State and federal agencies
- Private marine research institutions
- The Sanctuary Research Coordinator will be a standing member. A standing invitation will be given to the Research Coordinators at the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Banks National Marine Sanctuaries.
- Selection of RAP members:
- Candidates nominated by current RAP members on the basis of discipline expertise
- Selection of members by a committee consisting of: RAP Chair (meeting leader), a volunteer RAP member, MBNMS Research Coordinator, MBNMS Superintendent and SAC Chair
- Members must have an alternate, also selected by the committee
- Members serve three-year terms, renewable by agreement between the selection committee and the RAP member
- Meetings are open to all researchers and the public
RAP Meeting Format:
- Six meetings per year
- Standing agenda items:
- Updates, requests for information, and discussion on JMP Action Plans, led by sanctuary staff
- Responses to requests from SAC and sanctuary staff
- Opportunities to facilitate regional research collaboration
- Updates on regional science capabilities or needs
Responsibilities of RAP Members:
- Attend all meetings (member or alternate, primary member should attend at least 4 meetings per year)
- Coordinate attendance between member and alternate and remain knowledgeable about current RAP issues in absence of meetings
- Help address research questions related to the JMP
- Invite participation by and facilitate connection to regional experts on JMP Action Plans
- Advise SAC and sanctuary staff on basic and conservation science issues, including, but not limited to:
- Review and comment on technical reports
- Write brief reports or notes
- Suggest potential panels to address specific science issues
- Convey sanctuary-related research concerns and opportunities to the SAC through the RAP Chair
- Select one member of the RAP to represent research on the annual Sanctuary Currents Symposium Planning Committee
- Participate in the nomination and voting process for the Research Award and Ricketts Lecture Award for the annual Sanctuary Currents Symposium
Responsibilities of RAP Chair:
- Serve on the SAC as Research Representative, as described in SAC protocols
- Chair and facilitate RAP meetings
- Meet with sanctuary staff 2 weeks prior to each RAP meeting to set the agenda
- Debrief with sanctuary staff after each RAP meeting and follow-up on action items
- Provide leadership to improve and maintain RAP function
Responsibilities of RAP Vice-Chair:
- Serve on the SAC as an alternate for the Research Representative seat, as described in SAC protocols
- Fill the role of RAP Chair when he/she is not available
Voting:
- Decisions are reached mostly by consensus
- When voting is necessary, both members and their alternates can vote
1 Former wording was, "conservation science issues." Changed at 9/9/2005 RAP meeting; this change has not been formally presented to the SAC.
2 Former wording was, "Members should represent the following disciplines:" Changed at 9/9/2005 RAP meeting; this change has not been formally presented to the SAC.
3 Former disciplines were "Estuaries, Marine & Coastal Ecology, Deep-sea Benthic Ecology, Nearshore & Shelf Benthic Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Marine Conservation Biology, Seabirds & Shorebirds, Marine Mammals, Ichthyology, Marine Policy, Social Sciences, Fisheries, and Water Quality" Changed at 5/12/06 RAP meeting; this change has not been formally presented to the SAC.
