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Spring 1996 |
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Page 3 |
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Inside |
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Site Characterization |
pg. 3 |
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SAC Updates |
pg. 3 |
A Site Characterization of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) will be available this summer via the Internet, on the Sanctuary's World Wide Web site (http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov). Three years in the making, this study synthesizes existing information on the environmental and cultural resources of the Sanctuary to provide a baseline from which new research can be launched. It presents existing knowledge about the Sanctuary and &emdash; importantly &emdash; points out major gaps in information, highlighting areas of future study.
Because it will be on the Internet, the Site Characterization can be updated as necessary, greatly increasing its usefulness as a research tool and avoiding high printing costs. Users will be able to learn about the Sanctuary's physical setting, biological communities (habitats and marine animals) and human uses and impacts (fishing, tourism, agriculture), or browse appendices including maps, species lists and an extensive bibliography.
The Site Characterization was funded by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through a cooperative agreement with Moss Landing Marine Labs. The program is directed by Dr. Rikk Kvitek and Jo Guerrero at the lab. "In reality," says Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS Research Coordinator, "it has been a community project, funded by the Sanctuary and run by Rikk and Jo. Volunteer authors from almost every institution around the bay have written chapters, graduate students and faculty members from local universities have contributed significantly with insight and data, and organizations like AMBAG (the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments) and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation/Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve have donated their bibliographies."
The
Site Characterization will form the foundation of the MBNMS
Research Plan, which works as a framework to provide a
scientific basis for resource protection and management in
the Sanctuary. Researchers will be able to take information
from the Site Characterization and develop research and
monitoring programs to address management concerns.
Management strategies can then be implemented from the
results of these programs.
Although NOAA aims to create a site characterization of every sanctuary, so far only the Florida Keys Sanctuary has one, according to DeVogelaere. That document is in hard copy, and costs $125.00. "We think that what we're doing here is unique," he points out. "Ours will be a living document, easily updated and available free of charge to anyone with Internet access."
The Site Characterization will provide enormous benefits to researchers and conservationists locally and worldwide, increasing the availability of information about this region and providing a more comprehensive approach to research in and around the Sanctuary. Look for it this summer.
For further information, please contact Andrew DeVogelaere at (408) 647-4213.
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Sanctuary Advisory Council Updates Some of the issues recently addressed by the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) include: Coast Guard, Group Monterey Reduction: The council directed its Chair, Karin Strasser Kauffman, to send letters expressing concern over the proposed reduction in the Coast Guard Group Monterey, indicating that a reduction would significantly impede the establishment of viable proposed enforcement efforts in the Sanctuary. Letters were sent to Governor Pete Wilson, local elected officials and the congressional delegation, plus Coast Guard officials. Strategic Planning Committee: This committee produced three documents ("Council Procedures," "SAC Strategic Plan Draft Outline" and "SAC Action Plan Draft Outline") to help define SAC procedures, specify actions, and structure a long-term strategic outlook for the Council that runs parallel to the Sanctuary's operational plan. It also organized a Public Relations Workshop for SAC members, which resulted in a long list of exciting ideas for potential public relations campaigns. New Member: Joe Townsend, Harbor Commissioner for the Santa Cruz Port District, was sworn in as the Ports and Harbors Representative in late 1995. 1996 Calendar: Scheduled meetings for the remainder of the year include: June 28 &emdash; Cambria; August 23 &emdash; Santa Cruz; October 25 &emdash; Big Sur; November 22 &emdash; Half Moon Bay. Contact Jane DeLay, SAC Coordinator, at (408) 647-4246 for time and exact location. Working group summaries: Conservation Working Group (CWG): The CWG prepared a conservation panel discussion for the Sanctuary Symposium, prepared and submitted comments on the MBNMS Scientific Research Plan, and has worked towards developing a viable enforcement plan for the Sanctuary and strategies for educating the public about Sanctuary water quality. Sanctuary Education Panel (SEP): SEP activities have included developing the Symposium's educational component, preparing Long Marine Lab's 40-page "Window to the Sanctuary" book, and developing long-range goals and priorities for Sanctuary education programs. Research Activity Panel (RAP): The RAP has been looking at the former restricted zone in coastal waters around Fort Ord, developing the Sanctuary Site Characterization and working on two intertidal monitoring programs, among many other projects. The group's newest member is Jane Caffrey, Research Coordinator at Elkhorn Slough Reserve. |
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1999