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History of the RAP
- In 1988, Congressman Leon Panetta formed a Research Steering Committee with the purpose of discussing the possible designation of a Sanctuary to protect the Central California coast from offshore oil development. From these meetings, an informal subcommittee, the Marine Lab Committee, was gathered on January 12, 1989.
- The Marine Lab Committee, comprised of scientists from six local institutions, was the foundation of the region's marine research network. Through their discussions, the committee recognized the importance of sound scientific research in establishing and managing a Sanctuary. This group provided insight on potential boundaries for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and to provide insight into the region's living resources.
- The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) was designated in 1992.
- The Marine Lab Committee decided to create a permanent research committee for the region and expanded to include all the major research institutions in the area. Representatives from the original six institutions, with 13 additional institutions, officially formed the MBNMS Research Advisory Committee in 1993.
- The Research Advisory Committee wrote a "Scientific Research Plan for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary" in September 1993. The purpose of this plan was to coordinate the existing research programs and address resource management issues. The plan targets five major categories: (1) existing knowledge, (2) monitoring, (3) experimental studies, (4) modeling, and (5) information management. These categories are applied to the many habitats found within the Sanctuary including estuaries, rocky shores, sandy beaches, kelp forests, continental shelf, canyons, deep sea and open ocean.
- In 1994, the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) was made a working group under the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC).
- Later in 1994, the Research Advisory Committee was renamed the Research Activity Panel (RAP) in order to comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. While monthly RAP meetings are always open to the public, this change meant the meetings would no longer have to be announced in advance to the public, or adhere to other federal committee rules that the SAC does.
- The RAP now includes 27 representatives who meet six times per year (click here for more information on current RAP Policies).
Annual Summaries of RAP Issues and Acomplishments
1993
- Shared updates on regional research institution activities
- Wrote the Sanctuary Research Plan (1st in the Nation)
- Promoted hiring a Sanctuary Research Coordinator
- Organized a regional research symposium
1994
- Formalized membership
- Advised the SAC on ATOC
- Advised staff on a request for proposal to develop a MBNMS Site Characterization
- NOAA Ship McArthur- recruited and facilitated research projects, including a multi-institution assessment of the marine exclusion zone off of Ft. Ord
- Shark Chumming - produced report for the SAC on scientific issues surrounding shark chumming
- Jade Cove- discussed geological issues surrounding controversy and arranged USGS geologist presentation to SAC
- Participated in regional discussions of integrated GIS
- Advised staff on the value of scientific data from volunteer programs
1995
- Advised staff on development and authored sections of the MBNMS Site characterization
- Advised staff on wildlife harassment from over flights
- Reviewed a series of research proposals requesting sanctuary endorsement
- Provided comments to SAC and others on scientific collecting in the proposed underwater park at San Carlos Beach
- Promoted the concept of institutional sanctuary research permits
- Promoted support for the Mussel Watch program
1996
- Assisted staff with the development of a searchable on-line database of literature, associated with the MBNMS Site Characterization
- Selected and coordinated projects for Sanctuary ship time on the NOAA Ship McArthur
- Organized the annual regional research symposium
- Began a report on the impacts of ROV lights on deep sea organisms
- Advised SAC on elephant seal population growth near Pt. Piedras Blancas, relative to user group conflicts and Highway 1 realignment
1997
- Provided input for Assemblyman Fred Keeley concerning the Sea Life Recovery Act and the Coastal Bond Act
- Advised SAC on the proposed Edward F. Ricketts Underwater Park
- Received numerous research project and institution updates
- Completion of the report to characterize the Ft. Ord marine exclusion zone
1998
- Advised staff on monitoring and understanding water quality impacts in the coastal waters and deep ocean (in addition to watersheds)
- Completed a report on the impacts of ROV lights on deep sea organisms
- Completion of the Sanctuary USGS project to map and characterize the sediments of the MBNMS
- Advised the SAC on the impacts of divers to kelp communities
- Advised the SAC on potential impacts of the live-fish fishery
1999
- Gave input to regional discussions of human impacts to tide-pools
- Commented on the National Research Plan for Sanctuaries
- Continued coordination on multi-institutional collaborative grant proposals
- Advised staff on the development of Ecosystem Observations
- Continued support of Sanctuary Currents: theme, planning, awards
2000
- Reviewed and commented on staff kelp plan, in relation to updating CDFG kelp harvest regulations
- Assisted staff and local officials in development of studies to assess impacts of humans to rocky shores
- Participated in the development and regional support for the Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN)
2001
- Assisted staff with development of a RAP web page: history, policies, meeting notes, members, objectives, activities
- Continued research project and institution updates
- Provided support for the development of SIMoN
- Participated in the initial stages of the Joint Management Plan Review
- Wrote a letter to the Conservation Working Group in response to requested information on the conservation implications of marine reserves
- Advised the SAC on impacts of deep sea cables
- Continued participation in organization of the Sanctuary Currents symposium
2002
- Provided review comments on a NOAA sponsored Biogeographic Assessment and Ecological Linkages report
- Continued participation in the Joint Management Plan Review process
2003
- Continued research project and institution updates
- Supported regional institution participation in sharing project information over the SIMoN web site
- Continued participation in the Joint Management Plan Review process
2004
- Continued research project and institution updates
- Continued participation in the Joint Management Plan Review process
2005
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RAP
members present at November 17, 2000 RAP meeting.
From left to right are:
Back Row: Chris Harrold (M), Charles Wahle (G), Dan Costa
(M), Dave Ebert (G), Rikk Kvitek (M), Andrew DeVogelaere (M),
Steve Moore (M), Jeff Paduan (M), Churchill Grimes (M), Geoff
Wheat (M), Gary Sharp (M)
Front Row: George Leonard (G), Rick Starr (M), Mario Tamburri
(M), Caroline Pomeroy (M), Kerstin Wasson (M), Greg Cailliet (M),
Ross Clark (M), Mike Field (M), Marco Sigala (G)
(M)
denotes RAP member
(G) denotes RAP guest
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