Research Technical Report

The Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN): A New Program at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Lonhart, S.I., A. DeVogelaere, C. King, and J. de Marignac (March 2003)

Poster Presentation at the Sanctuary Currents Symposium, Seaside, CA

ABSTRACT

Comprehensive, long-term monitoring is a fundamental element of resource management and conservation. The Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) has been designed in partnership with the regional science and management community to identify natural and human induced changes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). The integration of high quality scientific research and long-term monitoring data sets through this program will furnish the information needed for effective management and provide a greater basic understanding of the Sanctuary, its resources and its processes. The principal goals of SIMoN are to: 1) integrate existing monitoring conducted in the MBNMS; 2) initiate basic surveys or characterizations of all habitats and regions of the MBNMS, and specific, hypothesis-driven monitoring efforts of fixed duration; 3) establish and maintain a series of essential long-term monitoring efforts that will continue into the future; and 4) disseminate timely and pertinent information to resource managers and decision makers, the research community, educators, and the general public.