MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes June 20th, 2008

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
June 20, 2008
UCSC Arboretum
Santa Cruz, CA

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) Advisory Council met on Friday, June 20th, 2008, in Santa Cruz, California. Public categories and government agencies were present as indicated:

The following non-voting members were present as indicated:

• Monterey Bay NMS: Paul Michel
• US Coast Guard: LTJC Brittany Steward

Alternates present in audience:

• Tom Canale - Commercial Fishing
• Samuel Hale - Business & Industry
• Karen Grimmer - Monterey Bay NMS
• Rexford Keyes - Recreation
• Kortney Leabourne - At-Large
• Steve Shimek - Conservation
  

I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, WELCOME, APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APPROVAL OF 12/13/07 AND 4/18/08 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

MOTION: (Passed)
The Advisory Council adopted both sets of minutes with no changes.

Motion introduced by Russ Jeffries, seconded by Paul Reilly
(Vote: 10 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions)

Paul Michel, Superintendent, introduced two new staff members: Mike Eng, Resource Protection Coordinator, and Mark DiOrio, Capitol Campaign Manager, with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

New Coast Guard alternate, LTJG Brittany Steward, was introduced.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Don Heichel stated there is a professor at Auburn University in Alabama researching artificial reefs for fishing. Heichel commented that artificial reefs along the sandy bottom between Santa Cruz and Seaside that equals the amount of water taken by MPAs should be considered. Mr. Heichel’s statements will be emailed to Advisory Council members for the various websites mentioned by Mr. Heichel.

Laura Kasa, Save Our Shores (SOS), announced that SOS picked up 40,000 pounds of trash on six beaches last 4th of July. This year they will be passing out trash bags to those on the beach. They have a dock water program that provides boater outreach at four harbors in the sanctuary. SOS is having a huge event for their anniversary on August 9th at Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz.

III. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: OCEAN LITERACY

Dawn Hayes, Education and Outreach Coordinator, provided a presentation on the MBNMS Ocean Literacy Action Plan.

Rita Bell, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Director of Education, provided a presentation on the Aquarium’s ocean literacy program.

Sarah Marquis, West Coast and Pacific Region Media Communications Coordinator, provided a presentation the Thank You Ocean Campaign.

There was a suggestion and discussion regarding possible sanctuary and Department of Education collaboration to include ocean science curriculum in schools.

All three presentations received several questions and comments.

All three powerpoint presentations may be viewed at http://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/2008/062008/agenda.html.

IV. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR KRILL HARVESTING BAN

After some discussion, the Advisory Council voted to send a letter to Rod McGinnis at NOAA Fisheries regarding support for the krill harvest ban. The only change made to the letter was to correct the spelling of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Motion: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Kaitilin Gaffney, seconded by unknown.

V. LUNCH

VI. MBNMS MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) PROCESS

Lisa Wooninck, Environmental Policy Advisor, provided a presentation on the planning process for marine protected areas. Lisa’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed at http://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/2008/062008/agenda.html.

After some discussion, a motion was approved to convene a subcommittee of the Advisory Council Executive Committee (Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary) and the Commercial Fishing primary. The subcommittee will provide advice on the makeup of the stakeholder representation on the working group and play the role of looking at nominations once they come in and make recommendations to the superintendent.

Motion: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Kaitilin Gaffney, seconded by Gary Pezzi
(Vote: 8 in favor, 5 opposed, 0 abstentions)

VII. TRACKING OF VESSEL TRAFFIC LANES

Steve Shimek, Conservation alternate, provided a presentation on compliance of the vessel traffic lanes within the MBNMS. Steve’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed at http://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/2008/062008/agenda.html.

After some discussion, the Advisory Council approved Steve’s proposed letter to be sent to Dan Basta, ONMS Director.

Motion: (Passed)
Motion introduced by Randy Herz, seconded by Kaitilin Gaffney
(Vote: 9 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstentions)

VIII. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: WATER QUALITY

The presentation on Harmful Algal Blooms was postponed to the August 15th meeting due to a lack time.

IX. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Russ Jeffries, CA EPA, announced that the Regional Water Quality Control Board will meet on July 11th in Watsonville at 8:30 a.m.

Randy Herz, Diving alternate, announced the 27th Annual Beach Dive Photographic Contest. The website is www.ncups.org

Paul Reilly, CA Dept of Fish and Game, announced that he would give an update on the Marine Life Protection Act at the August 15th Advisory Council meeting.

Cindy Walter – Asked Paul Michel to provide some information about the DeWitt award that the education staff won. Paul Michel announced that the MBNMS education staff won the DeWitt award from the State of California.

Kathy Fosmark, Commercial Fishing primary, announced that the next Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting will be held in Boise, ID the week of Sept 8th.

LTJG Brittany Steward announced that Captain David Swatland has been transferred to Hawaii. She will be the alternate and most likely the Chief of Response, once he arrives, will be the primary.

X. REVIEW WORK PLAN & UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS

The Advisory Council reviewed the workplan and decided the executive committee could determine which item from the workplan would be on the August agenda.

XI. ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING: August 15th, 2008, in Watsonville
The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator