MBNMS Research Program: Current Activities February 1997

Research Component #1: 1997 Activities toFacilitate Collaboration Between Research Groups In The MBNMS Region

This is a key role played by the MBNMS, which began with the MBNMS designation process and is not duplicative with any other efforts.

A) Facilitating monthly meetings of the MBNMS Research Activities Panel (RAP)

The RAP serves to leverage the scientific talent of central California scientific institutions to address high priority problems within the MBNMS. This panel provides a forum for continual updates and interactions on research activities at the numerous regional research institutions, for developing large institutional and smaller collaborative projects, for discussing and assessing MBNMS issues of concern, and for linking research with decision making process and the general public.

Members of the RAP include special advisors and representatives from the following institutions:

• California Department of Fish and Game
• California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Pollution Laboratories
• California State University Monterey Bay
• Elkhorn Slough Foundation and National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
• Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University
• Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa Cruz
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
• Morro Bay Foundation
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, California State University Consortium
• National Undersea Research Program
• Naval Postgraduate School
• Office of Environmental Affairs, Department of the Interior
• Pacific Fisheries Environmental Group, National Marine Fisheries Service
• University of California Sea Grant Extension Program
• United States Geological Survey

B) Serving on agency advisory committees and special initiative steering committees for:

• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Marine Resources Protection Act Ecological Reserves Research Grant Program
• International Marine Biodiversity Initiative
• National Undersea Research Program Monterey Bay Initiative
• California Biodiversity Council
• Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network
• Graduate student thesis committees

C) Maintaining searchable on-line data bases, including:

• Regional scientists and their associated professional interests
• e-mail lists for special working groups
• A compilation of existing regional El Niño studies

D) Memorandums of Understanding

The MBNMS is developing a series of monitoring programs to assess natural and human-induced changes in sanctuary resources, and in preparation for potential natural resource damage assessment issues. Monitoring is considered in a broad sense, including habitat mapping, demography of organisms, and some experiments on ecosystem organization.

Project Description

Beach surveys

This year, MBNMS launched a program called the Beach COMBERS (Coastal Ocean Mammal & Bird Education & Research Surveys). Volunteers have been trained to identify beach-cast organisms and collect oil samples. They sampled the beaches of Monterey Bay monthly, and separate experiments were conducted to test how often surveys should be made and at what tide level. Collaborators on this project include Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response, the California Parks Department, the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and MBNMS (see Appendix 1).

 

Rocky shores

Twenty-four long term data sets exist throughout the MBNMS (see the MBNMS Site Characterization for a review- http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov) and we are combining these projects into a comprehensive monitoring plan. Moreover, a recent recovery study, funded through mitigation for a recent vessel grounding, is an integral component of this program. Collaborators on this project include Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, University of California at Santa Cruz, Stanislaus State University, Minerals Management Services, Applied Marine Sciences, Kinnetic Laboratories Inc., and MBNMS.

 

Water quality

The MBNMS is looking forward to building on the Elkhorn Slough Foundation/National Estuarine Research Reserve water monitoring program and extending it into the offshore waters of the Sanctuary. Flood layer sediment samples have been collected and analyzed for contaminants along a gradient from the Salinas River mouth to assess impacts of this major inflow to the MBNMS. Collaborators on this project include the U.S. Geological Survey, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, ABA Consulting, California Department of Fish and Game, and MBNMS.

 

Kelp forests and marine reserves

There is ongoing work to characterize kelp forests in the Sanctuary, and related areas that are designated as marine reserves. Moreover, plans are being developed to map kelp canopies in the region using satellite imagery and aerial photography. Collaborators on this project include UC Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Labs., NESDIS, Monterey Peninsula college, the Department of Fish and Game, and MBNMS.

 

Continental shelf and nearshore subtidal areas

Significant mapping efforts are underway to characterize the habitats of the continental shelf (to 100 fathoms) between Monterey and San Francisco, and with very high resolution at the Big Creek Ecological Reserve on the Big Sur Coast. The maps currently available to manage the MBNMS show the color blue for the ocean region, it is necessary to map the bottom types to know what resources are being managed. This characterization effort includes categories such as mud, sand, cobbles, boulders, rock platforms, and macroinvertebrates. Collaborators on this project include US Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, University of California at Santa Cruz, California State University Monterey Bay, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, National Marine Fisheries Service, Naval Postgraduate School and MBNMS.

 

El Niño

MBNMS is comparing live bird and mammal distributions in Monterey Bay to previous years, and also has one survey planned for plankton and water parameters. Collaborators on this project include the University of California at Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, National Marine Fisheries Service, and MBNMS.

Regional data repository and geographic information system

Monterey Bay scientists and resource managers have been planning the development of a regional data center since 1991. The MBNMS is building a computer-assisted visual of the project potential. MBNMS and the RAP are working closely with California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and California Sea Grant to locate the regional database at the CSUMB Spatial Information Visualization and Analyses Center.

Providing research platforms:

Shark Cat (30 ft. vessel owned by MBNMS)

• The vessel was used to shuttle scientists to the R/V Miller Freeman for coastal trawl surveys. National Marine Fisheries Service.

McArthur (175 ft. vessel from the NOAA fleet)

• Circulation and sediment transport patterns between the Farallone Shelf and Monterey Bay. U.S. Geological Survey.
• Recording whale sounds at their source and in comparison to the Pt. Sur Listening Array. Naval Postgraduate School, MBARI, University of California at Santa Cruz.
• Examining marine mammal and seabird habitats in Monterey Bay in conjunction with the spatial distribution patterns of their prey. University of California at Santa Cruz, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Moss Landing Marine Labs.
• Weather balloon observations in the MBNMS. Naval Postgraduate School.
• Using very high resolution seismic data to map sedimentation and surface characteristics of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary shelf. U.S. Geological Survey.

Lake Amphibian Plane (NOAA Sea Plane operated by CINMS and MBNMS)

• ï Locating whales for acoustic studies on the R/V. McArthur. Naval Postgraduate School, MBARI, University of California at Santa Cruz.

Funding modest research grants:

• Providing student trainee support for the intertidal biodiversity project. University of California at Santa Cruz and California Sea Grant.
• Studies of critical marine mammal habitats in central California National Marine Sanctuaries. University of California at Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and Cascadia Research Collective.
• The impact of commercial trawling on a benthic community within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Graduate student stipend. Jonna Engel, MLML.
• Tidal hydraulics and its relation to erosion and sediment transport in Elkhorn Slough. Graduate student stipend. Chris Malzone, MLML.
• Developing a monitoring program for beachcast organisms. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, California Department of Fish and Game, and State Parks.
• Gathering existing datalayers on geographic information system technology for the MBNMS region. U.C. Sea Grant and California State University Monterey Bay.

Site Characterization

Efforts are made to continually update of this "living electronic document." Chapters are written by local experts to characterize the Sanctuary resources. This exceptional, detailed document is available on the MBNMS homepage (http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov). In 1997, a chapter was completed on pelagic ecosystems (put not yet placed on the web site) and extensive lists of common species with associated natural history information has been drafted (this was a request from the public following a newspaper article on this section of the MBNMS Site Characterization).

Respond to information requests from the Sanctuary Advisory Council, MBNMS staff, other resource managers, students and the general public

These activities include simple requests on technical information and reviewing material for scientific accuracy. For "high-profile" and complex analyses, the information requests are considered at the monthly RAP meetings (see Research Component #1). Significant efforts in 1997 went to: writing an annotated bibliography on sound for the SAC and reviewing the SOS guide to the MBNMS.

Natural resource damage assessment

After events such as ship groundings, staff assesses resource damage, provides an analysis of different salvage scenarios, and recommends mitigation and monitoring schemes. In 1997, MBNMS Research was actively involved in the Irene Pipeline Spill, Monterey Bay Mystery Spill, Trinity grounding recovery study, and Common Murre die off in southern Monterey Bay.

Review sanctuary permits

Research permits are reviewed when the permitting coordinator has a question on the resource impact of the proposed project relative to the research benefits. In addition to regular permits, in 1997, MBNMS Research was the MBNMS office lead on the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate and Low Frequency Active Sonar projects.

Sanctuary Currents Symposium

MBNMS staff and the RAP help organize the annual Sanctuary Currents Symposium. This symposium includes a series of presentations, posters, discussion panels and awards that focus, in large part, on educating the public and decision makers about current research projects. The program and abstracts are published in a report and posted on the world wide web. In 1997, the symposium theme was "Facets of Biodiversity."

Research information to the media

The Research Program is often contacted for newspaper article and television interviews on scientific topics. Examples of 1997 media contacts are provided in Appendix 3.

Publications

Scientific publications and conference proceedings are a useful format for sharing information. In 1997, the MBNMS Research Program embarked on an effort to develop a Technical Report series and the first report will be published in 1998. See Appendix 2 for a list of MBNMS research related publications for 1997.

Staff

Research Coordinator/Senior Scientist

Half time Sea Grant Fellow

Interns and Volunteers (see Appendix 1)

MBNMS Funds and Equipment

Shark Cat Vessel (see p. 5)

Lake Amphibian Plane (see p. 5)

Outside Grants

Match in Volunteer time, equipment and space

Research Activities Panel Members

Beach COMBERS Volunteers

Interns

Match on Grants

Research Staging Area at Moss Landing Marine Labs.

Appendix 1: "Extended Personnel" of the MBNMS Research Program

MBNMS Staff

Andrew De Vogelaere- Research Coordinator/Senior Scientist

William Douros- Sanctuary Superintendent

Joanne Flanders- Acting Manager

Aaron King- McArthur Cruise and Web Page

Sea Grant Fellow

Michele Jacobi; sound bibliography, web page, special projects

Interns

Olivia Avelino, Cal. State Sacramento; natural history project

Paul McAnally, Moss Landing Marine Labs; natural history project

Danny McKeever, Cal. State Stanislaus; intertidal monitoring and special projects

Jim Patterson, U.C. Santa Cruz; offshore benthic sampling and special projects

Rahim Strong, Cal. State Stanislaus; intertidal monitoring

Viki Tackas, Cal. State Stanislaus; special projects

Stacey Urner, Cal. State Monterey Bay; rocky shore restoration and special projects

Graduate Student Senior Theses Advisees

Jon Kao, Moss Landing Marine Labs.; Shark Biology in Elkhorn Slough

Tricia Lowe, Moss Landing Marine Labs.; Marsh ecology in Elkhorn Slough

Jennifer Parkin, Moss Landing Marine Labs.; Caspian tern population studies

Andrea Meyer, Moss Landing Marine Labs.; Effects of trampling in marshes

Stacey Urner, Cal. State Monterey Bay; Restoration of rocky shores

Ron Walder, Moss Landing Marine Labs.; Rocky shore patch dynamics

Beach COMBERS Volunteers

James Harvey- Co-Principal Investigator

Andrew DeVogelaere- Co-Principal Investigator

Scott Benson- Coordinator

Steve Bailey- Advisor

Jack Ames- Advisor

David Ainley- Advisor

Jan Roletto- Advisor

Bill Sydeman- Advisor

Field Surveys:

Ames, Jack DeVogelaere, Andrew Neilson, Lydia

Avelino, Olivia Eyster, Carleton Neuman, Kriss

Benson, Scott Fox, Dave Patterson, Jim

Bent, Dede Haugen, Chuck Roberts, Cassandra

Blood, Ken Henkel, Laird Roe, Christy

Conners, Sarah Jacobi, Michele Sims, Alex

Cotter, Patrick Keickhefer, Tom Wiltse, Darren

Crane, Rickie King, Aaron

Crowley, Jim Lorenz, Diana

Darcey, Terry Maehr, Carol

Research Activity Panel Members and Alternates

Gregor Cailliet, Chair, Moss Landing Marine Labs

Rick Starr, Vice Chair, U.C. Sea Grant Extension Program

Andrew DeVogelaere, Executive Coordinator, Monterey Bay NMS,

Giacomo Bernardi/Dan Costa, U.C. Santa Cruz

George Boehlert/Mary Yoklavich, Pacific Fisheries Environmental Laboratories

Jane Caffrey/Mark Silberstein, Elkhorn Slough NERR and Foundation

Mike Field/Steve Eittreim, U.S. Geological Survey

Joanne Flanders, Monterey Bay NMS

Chris Harrold/Randy Kochevar, Monterey Bay Aquarium

James Harvey, At-Large, Moss Landing Marine Labs

Deborah Johnston, California Dept. of Fish and Game

Rikk Kvitek, Cal. State Monterey Bay

Patricia Port, U.S. Dept. of the Interior

Caroline Pomeroy, At-Large, Institute of Marine Sciences

Dennis Powers/Jennifer Nielsen, Hopkins Marine Station

Bruce Robison, MBARI

Jan Roletto, Gulf of Farallones/Cordell Bank NMS

Leslie Rosenfeld/Laura Ehret, Naval Post-Graduate School

James Rote, Special Advisor, Cal. State Monterey Bay

Gary Sharp, Special Advisor, CIRIOS

Mark Stephenson, CA Dept. of Fish and Game- Marine Pollution Labs.

Les Strnad, At-Large, California Coastal Commission

Geof Wheat, National Undersea Research Program

Karen Worcester, Morro Bay Foundation

Appendix 2:

Partial list of 1997 publications related to MBNMS research support

Reports, Papers and Maps

Caffrey, J., S. Shaw, M. Silberstein, A. De Vogelaere, and M. White. 1997. Water quality monitoring in Elkhorn Slough: a summary of results 1988-1996. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Technical Report.

Calambokidis, J., T. Chandler, K. Rasmussen, G. H. Steiger, L. Schlender, D. Ellifrit, and J.L. Quan. 1997. Humpback and blue whale photographic identification: report on research in 1996. Cascadia Research Collective Technical Report. July 1997.

De Vogelaere, A.P. and R.C. Green. 1997. A review of research programs in central California coastal managed areas with a suggestion for improved collaboration. Pages 50 - 55 in D. A. McArdle, editor. Marine protected areas of California: a summary of the March 1997 California and World Ocean Conference. University of California Publication. 113 pp.

Eittreim, S.L, B.D. Edwards, A.J. Stevenson, J.V. Gardner, M.D. Medrano, K.A. Johnson, G. Cailliet, J. Oakden, C. Malzone, R. Fairey, S. Lamerdin, M. Stephenson, G. Ichikawa, J. Goetzl, K. Paulson, M. Pranger, R. Tjeerdema, J. Newman, J. Becker, M. Stoetling, L.A. Mayer, R. Kvitek, and G. Gardner. 1997. Southern Monterey Bay continental shelf investigations: former Fort Ord restricted zone. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 97-450. 112pp.

Foster, M.S. and A.P. DeVogelaere. 1997. Assessing natural resources and developing management strategies for rocky shores of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Progress Report to CUEREC. 20pp.

Harvey, J.T. and S.R. Benson. 1997. Beach monitoring program for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Progress Report to CUEREC. 10pp.

Jacobi, M. 1997. Annotated bibliography: human-made sound impacts on marine organisms. MBNMS Technical Report No. 1997-01. 18pp.

Malzone, C.M. and C.B. Bretz. 1997. Bathymetry of Elkhorn Slough. Map. CSUMB Siva Center.

Pearse, J. S. 1997. Biodiversity of the rocky intertidal in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: a 24 year comparison. Sea Grant Report R/CZ-132; 1995 - 1997.

Starr, R. 1997. Geographic information system technology for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Progress Report to CUEREC. 16pp.

Starr, R., K.A. Johnson, E.A Laman, and G.M. Cailliet. 1997 draft (published in 1998). Fishery resources of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. California Seagrant College Technical Report No. T-042. 102pp.

Stone, G., J. Goebel, S. Webster. 1997. Pinniped populations, eastern north Pacific: status, trends and issues. A symposium of the 127th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. 179pp.

Walder, R.K. and M.S. Foster. Recovery of rocky intertidal assemblages following the wreck and salvage of the F/V Trinity. Progress Report for Year 1. MBNMS files.

Yoklavich, M., R. Starr, J. Steger, H.G. Greene, F. Schwing, and C. Malzone. 1997. Mapping benthic habitats and ocean currents in the vicinity of central California's Big Creek Ecological Reserve. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC- 245, La Jolla, CA. 52pp.

Conference Abstracts

Cailliet, G.M. 1997. What do we really know about marine biodiversityin central California? California and the World Oceans ë97.

Cailliet, G.M. 1997. Below Pacific tides: the predictablitiy, diversity and importance of habitats for fishes. Ed Ricketts Memorail Lecutre; Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97.

Crane, N.L., R.C. Bunzel, and S.I. Lonhart. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Biodiversity and monitoring project: subtidal surveys in Big Sur. Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97. 23p.

De Vogelaere, A.P. and R. Green. 1997. An overview of research programs in central California marine protected areas. California and the World Oceans '97.

De Vogelaere, A., A. Fukuyama, S. Urner, and R. Hoff. 1997. Testing transplant methods for restoring rocky intertdial algae after human induced disturbances. Western Society of Naturalists.

Eittreim, S.L., K. Kinoshita, G.B. Tate and D.A. Cacchione. 1997. Rippled scour depressions of the southern Monterey Bay shelf. Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97.

Engel, J. and R. Kvitek. 1997. Effects of commercial trawling on infaunal community structure and flatfish diets. Western Society of Naturalists. 26p.

Marenovic, B. 1997. Intra and interannual variation in euphausiid populations within the Monterey Bay. Western Society of Naturalists. 39p.

Noble, M.A., K. Kinoshita, and B. Jaffe. 1997. Investigations of transport pathways for water and sediment between the Farallone Shelf and Monterey Bay. Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97. 31p.

Pearse, J., E. Danner, L. Watson, and C. Zabin. Stability and flux in the rocky intertidal. Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97. 32p.

Schaeffer, T.N. and M.S. Foster. 1997. Diver disturbance in kelp forests. Western Society of Naturalists. 51p.

Stanbury, K.B. and R.M. Starr. 1997. Applications of GIS for habitat assessment and marine resource management. International Conference on Marine Benthic Habitats & Their Living Resources. Noumea, New Caledonia. 99p.

Woolfolk, A.M. 1997. Effects of human trampling on salt marsh vegetation in Elkhorn Slough. Western Society of Naturalists. 39p.

Yoklavich, M. 1997. Sensing essential benthic fish habitats in deep water. Marine Benthic Habitats Conference. International Conference on Marine Benthic Habitats & Their Living Resources. Noumea, New Caledonia. 111p.

Yoklavich, M. 1997. Mapping benthic habitats and ocean currents in the vicinity of a marine protected area. International Conference on Marine Benthic Habitats & Their Living Resources. Noumea, New Caledonia. 111p.

Yoklavich, M. 1997. Sensing essential fish habitats in deep water. Annual Meeting of American Fisheries Society: Special Symposium on Innovative Technologies For Fisheries Applications. Monterey, California. 112p.

Yoklavich, M., F. Schwing, J. Steger, R. Starr, H.G. Greene, and C. Malzone. 1997. Mapping benthic fish habitats and ocean currents in the Big Creek Ecological Reserve. Sanctuary Currents Symposium '97. 35p.

Appendix 3:

Examples of 1997 media contacts with the MBNMS Research Program

The media uses the MBNMS Research Program as a source for technical information. In 1997, television interviews were made on the topics of El Niño, sea otter populations in Elkhorn Slough, water quality in central California related to sea otter populations, and marine management of California resources. For more information regarding the media in relatation to the MBNMS Research program please contact 408-647-4201.