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Spring 1998 |
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Page 5 |
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Inside |
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Great American Fish Count |
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New MBNMS Superintendent |
pg. 5 |
William Douros Takes the
Helm
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"I am intrigued by the
diversity here, on all levels: diversity of
ecosystems, marine life, issues, and geographical
diversity. In California, this is probably the best
job for a marine biologist." |
In January William J. Douros took the helm as the Sanctuary's new Superintendent. Douros has moved up the coast from southern California, where he worked for Santa Barbara County overseeing the offshore oil and gas industry and its onshore facilities.
Douros' first several months have been busy ones. To further his understanding of Sanctuary issues, he has spent many hours attending Advisory Council (SAC) and working group meetings and holding one-on-one conferences with staff, SAC members, local politicians and government officials, and others. "I've made a point to spend a lot of time listening," he explains. "I didn't come here with set ideas of what I wanted to do. I want to get a feel for what we're working on and look at our activities in relation to the Sanctuary's mission, and then, if necessary, make some adjustments. What is important to me," he emphasizes, "especially here in Monterey where the Sanctuary was created by the energy and interest of the community, is to show that we're adding value to the local community that we've done more than just prevent oil and gas development."
Based upon his first few months on the job, Douros has developed some early, broad-brush observations about where to focus his initial efforts. "The first two relate to the Sanctuary Management Plan," he explains. "That Plan says we need to monitor marine species, habitats, and communities in order to assess human impact on marine resources. My initial take is that the Sanctuary's efforts to conduct that monitoring are somewhat patchy." Douros looks forward to getting a better handle, through monitoring, on the status of all marine systems in the Sanctuary.
His second observation relates to resource protection, one of the four major themes identified in the Management Plan. "Our current programs are only indirectly oriented around resource protection," he points out. "We may need more of a direct resource protection program." A third area of concern is the Sanctuary's office environment, which is cramped and crowded; finding a better facility is a high priority.
The Sanctuary community is thrilled to have Douros on board. "At the last Research Activity Panel (RAP) meeting, Bill made it clear that he will stress research as one of the three objectives of Marine Sanctuaries," says Gregor Cailliet, RAP Chair. "We are excited about his background of using fact-based science in marine policy and look forward to working with him on Sanctuary research projects."
With a background that includes policy, marine science, and management experience, Douros is well-suited to the leadership of the nation's largest Marine Sanctuary. In his most recent position, he worked to influence state and federal energy policies to ensure that they balance coastal protection with the energy needs of California and the nation. Bill has a Master's degree in marine ecology and has dealt with a range of coastal issues including fishery, marine mammal, and water quality topics; he has completed over 600 research dives. He has administered multi-million dollar budgets, and is familiar with the government structures that affect the Sanctuary.
Bill Douros sees this position as an opportunity to return to his marine biology roots. "In high school and college I had an interest in environmental biology marine biology in particular and how they allow one to be a resource manager," he explains. "I've just spent the last twelve years with a regulatory agency, so this is a chance to come back to something that feels better for the soul: to manage resources rather than be a regulator."
Managing over 5,300 square miles of ocean isn't easy, however, as Douros is well aware. "I believe the main challenges currently facing the Sanctuary are three-fold," he explains. "First, we should work at helping the community to recognize the nexus between onshore activities and their effect on the marine system. Second, I think it's important to get the public and other agencies even ourselves to appreciate and articulate the mission of Marine Sanctuaries. Finally, we can encourage all parties to acknowledge the diversity of opinions yet the singularity of the mission of marine conservation and stewardship."
Douros has had a life-long love for California's coast and ocean, having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area. "I have to admit to cutting school on more than one occasion to come with my swim team buddies to the beach in Santa Cruz," he confesses.
Now he's back on the Central Coast, but with a different
mission. "I feel fortunate to come to the MBNMS at such a
tremendous time; it is the International Year of the Ocean
and we have many high profile events happening here
(including the JASON Project and a national conference on
the oceans planned for Monterey)," he says. "I'm looking
forward to helping shape what is probably the most important
protected area in the United States, for the benefit not
only of the local population but of others in the state and
the nation. I think 'California's coastal Yosemite' has a
nice ring to it." 
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1999