|
Spring 1997 |
 |
|
 |
Page 5 |
|
Inside |
|
|
Focus: Research Activity Panel |
pg. 5 |
Chair and SAC Research Representative:
Vice Chair: Executive Coordinator:
RAP Members at Large:
RAP Alternates:
|
The
MBNMS Research Activity Panel traces its history back to
before the establishment of the Sanctuary. The RAP was
formed during the summer of 1992 by marine research
institutions within the planned Sanctuary region. Its
original purpose was to coordinate the many scientific
research projects underway around the Monterey Bay area and
to help support the establishment of the Sanctuary. The
group was initiated mainly by Greg Cailliet, Bruce Robison,
Sam Farr and Bill Schramm.
In April 1994, the MBNMS management created the Sanctuary Advisory Committee (SAC); the following month, the RAP was taken under the purview of the SAC as a working group. RAP members, who represent twenty-one research facilities, meet on the second Friday of each month at different host institutions.
The group has made significant contributions to both the Sanctuary and the local research community. For example, one of the RAP's earliest projects was the creation of the Scientific Research Plan for the MBNMS, which is used as a basis for evaluating proposals and the progress of ongoing research. The RAP also helped in the planning and development of a Site Characterization study of the Sanctuary. That project synthesizes existing information on the Sanctuary's environmental and cultural resources and serves as a baseline from which further research can be launched. It is available on the MBNMS web site (http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov/).
The RAP's Chair, Greg Cailliet, also cites the group's lobbying for a Sanctuary Research Coordinator as one of its most important accomplishments. "Because that position exists, we have a much more dynamic and interactive research program," he emphasizes.
For his part, Andrew DeVogelaere, who holds the position of Research Coordinator/Senior Scientist, says the RAP has been a tremendous support to him and the Sanctuary management. "The RAP is really an integral part of the whole program," DeVogelaere explains.
There are four components to the Sanctuary's research program: facilitating research with regional research institutions; providing technical information to decision-makers; developing monitoring programs to determine the Sanctuary's health; and encouraging research on resource management issues. DeVogelaere easily cites many examples of how the RAP has facilitated all of these mandates. For example, the RAP facilitates research just by meeting monthly. "A lot of what goes on at RAP meetings is networking," says DeVogelaere. "The result of that is better communication and more collaboration and interdisciplinary research."
The RAP has also been instrumental in providing important technical information to decision-makers. Deborah Johnston, from the California Dept. of Fish and Game, chaired a committee that was asked by Sanctuary Manager Terry Jackson to present a scientific review on shark chumming. "Our committee developed a position paper after coordinating with the various scientists on the RAP and other experts on shark biology," Johnston explains. "The RAP approved the position paper, which was then presented to the Washington D.C. staff at a public hearing; that information was used by SRD (Sanctuaries and Reserves Division) in creating a rule on the issue of chum and sharks." DeVogelaere also points to examples where the RAP's expertise has been crucial to the Sanctuary management's understanding of complex issues, such as jade extraction and the expanding elephant seal population at Piedras Blancas.
Plans
for a Sanctuary beach survey program, with principal
investigators Jim Harvey (Moss Landing Marine Labs) and
Andrew DeVogelaere (see related story on page 4), directly
address the Sanctuary's third research component. The data
gathered by volunteer beach walkers will provide background
mortality rates for targeted wildlife; these data can then
serve as a baseline to assess changes in Sanctuary wildlife
and perhaps future damage caused by a catastrophic event
such as an oil spill.
The RAP's review of resource management-related research has influenced the funding of many projects. "It has helped us leverage funding with agencies such as Sea Grant, NURP (National Undersea Research Program) and the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey)," says Cailliet. "To get the RAP's word that a project is considered a priority is an important reference."
DeVogelaere points to the RAP and its accomplishments as
an excellent illustration of the community working with the
Sanctuary to protect this area's natural riches. "The
Sanctuary needs tremendous input for research because we use
it as the basis of our education programs and
decision-making," he explains. "We have an enormous need for
research, but only a small staff and limited funds. We can
only be effective by using the resources of the regional
community through a group like the RAP."
|
|
Home | Introduction | Visitors | Education | Research | Protection | Calendar | Foundation | Search
Credits
For comments or question please refer to the Webmaster
Last modified on: June 14,
1999