Sanctuary News, Announcements, and Programs

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Threats to coastal structures and communities from coastal erosion, as well as the environmental impacts associated with coastal armoring, have been of growing concern to many. A recent study found that erosion rates along the southern Monterey Bay shoreline between Moss Landing and Wharf II in Monterey are the highest in the State of California. Although this shoreline is not heavily developed, eight oceanfront facilities are at a high risk from erosion over the next fifty years. A recent sanctuary-led study, Evaluation of Erosion Mitigation Alternatives for Southern Monterey Bay, developed a number of recommendations for future mitigation measures in this region. (9/27/12)

• Evaluation of Erosion Mitigation Alternatives for Southern Monterey Bay (4.2MB PDF)

Celebrate the Bay! A Free Special Film Event for the Monterey Bay Community on September 23^rd. Ocean Frontiers is an inspiring voyage to seaports and watersheds across the country where unlikely allies - farmers, shippers, scientists, fishermen and conservationists - are working together to sustain the sea and our ocean economies. Celebrate today's ocean pioneers at the reception and enjoy sustainable seafood and wine from the Central Coast. COMPLETED

2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and we hope you will join us to celebrate this national treasure! (9/6/12)

• Official Invitation to Free Screening of Ocean Froniers (303KB PDF)
• Click here to visit the Ocean Frontiers site and see the preview.

BLUE is Back! BLUE Ocean Film Frstival and Conservation Event September 24^th - 30^th. Set next to one of the world's most scenic landscapes along the Monterey Bay Peninsula, BLUE is a high-energy, enlightening and entertaining 7-Day festival showcasing the world's finest ocean films and award winning marine photography along with a filmmakers marketplace, science and conservation seminars, international policy discussions and a robust ocean media industry conference. (9/6/12) COMPLETED

Pilots: Know Before You Go New editions of the sectional charts for Los Angeles and San Francisco will be released this summer that include a revised notice to pilots about federal regulations affecting low-altitude flight operations in parts of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Please click here for more information and release dates of the sectional charts. (6/18/12)

Free "SeaPhoto" app for iPhone and iPad The first of its kind for the MBNMS and Central California region, includes more than 1,300 photos of marine life, some with detailed ecological information. In addition to the photos of more than 550 species of marine life, the mobile app includes an extensive, searchable glossary of common and scientific names. Users can save their favorite photos and share them via Twitter and email. The app also provides general information about the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and links to the sanctuary's web site and its YouTube channel. (6/18/12)

• Click here for the complete press release
• Click here for the app link in iTunes Preview

Summary of the 2011 Workshop to Inform the Ecosystem–based Management Initiative On May 24th, 2011 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) staff convened a workshop to gather information on biological, oceanographic and geological features and submerged cultural resources that are unique and/or rare in MBNMS, and to identify supporting data sources and information gaps. The information gathered from the workshop is summarized a report titled "Unique and Rare Features in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Summary of the 2011 Workshop to Inform the Ecosystem-based Management Initiative" The workshop was a successful step in gathering information on unique and rare features in MBNMS and evaluating threats to those features. Ensuring protection of unique and rare features in the sanctuary is one of the four goals of the Ecosystem-based Management Initiative. (2/14/12)

• Summary of the 2011 Workshop to Inform the Ecosystem–based Management Initiative (999KB PDF)

NOAA revises sanctuary low-altitude flight regulations NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries is announcing an amendment to existing overflight regulations (15 CFR Part 922) for four west coast sanctuaries: Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, Channel Islands, and Olympic Coast. Although these federal regulations have been in place in the sanctuaries for many years, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries has standardized regulatory language to reflect a consistent and clear regulatory approach. NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries is working with the FAA to change the notation on the charts from "recommended" minimum altitude to "required" minimum altitude. These amendments are intended to better inform pilots, improve resource protection, and potentially reduce the risk to pilots and aircraft from bird strikes. Sanctuary low overflight restrictions pertain to discrete nearshore zones within each sanctuary. Click here to download a copy of the Final Rule (160KB PDF).

2012 Currents Symposium Research Posters Session - Abstracts Due 1/31/12 CLOSED

• Call for Research Posters and Instructions

MBNMS and Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) are hosting a Dec. 6 workshop at Monterey Conference Center, "Preparing for the Future: Climate Change and the Monterey Bay Shoreline."

• Monterey County Coast Weekly Article
• COS Page for Agenda and Conference Information

Position Announcement: Sanctuary Exploration Center Education Specialist This is a term-employment position through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, on assignment to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Duties for the employee working with MBSF and MBNMS staff include the following. For more information, download the PDF linked below. (1/18/12) CLOSED

1. Recruit, coordinate, train and retain volunteers for Sanctuary Exploration Center's interpretation, education and Citizen Science programs. Maintain volunteers at a sufficient level for daily staffing of the Center;
2. Assist in the development of standardized volunteer training materials, conduct annual training sessions for new volunteers, and regular enrichment classes for existing volunteers, organizes and maintains volunteer records and organizes annual appreciation events;
3. Aid in the development and maintenance of Sanctuary Exploration Center promotional materials (website, social media outlets, print materials, etc.).

Position Announcement: Sanctuary Exploration Center Operations Specialist This is a term-employment position through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, on assignment to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Duties for the employee working with MBSF and MBNMS staff include the following. For more information, download the PDF linked below. (1/18/12) CLOSED

1. Ensure excellent operation of the Sanctuary Exploration Center by providing technical expertise in facility maintenance and Exhibits IT operation, evaluation and repair. Identify, analyze, recommend and complete necessary paperwork to improve facility operations. This includes:
   • Oversee maintenance of all building systems for optimal functional operation
   • Coordinate with contractors for janitorial, landscaping, exhibit repair, etc.
   • Troubleshoot facility related problems/issues
   • Ensure appropriate visitor parking and signage
   • Continuously monitor and maintain exhibit IT related equipment
   • Develop and maintain a monitoring program to ensure that the related L.E.E.D. aspects of the facility are appropriately functioning.
   • Oversee seawater system and utilities issues with MBNMS staff support
2. Create and maintain all facilities records related to general facilities operations, purchasing and maintenance. Complete all necessary paperwork to maintain equipment and supplies for the Center.

Position Announcement: Sanctuary Exploration Center Education & Outreach Developer This is a term-employment position through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, on assignment to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Duties for the employee working with MBSF and MBNMS staff include the following. For more information, download the PDF linked below. (1/13/12) CLOSED

1. Design, develop and implement a regional education needs assessment for education and outreach programming at the Sanctuary Exploration Center;
2. Develop a comprehensive, multicultural Education and Outreach Plan that includes six core program elements.

2012 "Discover Your Central Coast" Lecture Series introduces community members to their local marine environment. Experts from NOAA's Monterey bay National Marine Sanctuary and it's partners will engage participants will present topics relative to the central coast. All lectures are from 6pm - 7pm, at the Rabobank Community Room (1070 Main Street, Cambria). (3/28/12)

2012 Coastal Discovery Center Fair From 11AM to 5PM at at WR Hearst Memorial State Beach, San Simeon. See live animals, make a remotely operated underwater robot, take a picture with Sammy the Steelhead, learn new games, make crafts, learn how to help our local marine mammals, and meet animals from the SLO Turtle Rescue and the Pacific Wildlife Center! (3/28/12)

2011 First Flush Report (1MB PDF*) (3/21/12)

2012 SnapShot Day Flyer (3/21/12)

MBNMS 20 Year Accomplishment Overview Report (393KB PDF*) Celebrating 20 Years - 1992 to 2012! (3/20/12)

MBNMS 2011 Accomplishment Report (831KB PDF*) (3/20/12)

New M/V Med Taipei section covering topics related to how the funds from the lost container were used. This includes the lost fishing gear cruises, deep benthic assessments, research cruises to the container site, and coastal erosion projects. (1/17/12)

Archives of News, Announcements, and Updates

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