MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes October 17th, 2008

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
October 17th, 2008
Cabmria Vet's Hall
Cambria, CA

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) Advisory Council met on Friday, October 17th, 2008, in Cambria, 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:

• Kortney Leabourne - At-Large
• Robert Frischmuth - At-Large
• Karen Grimmer - Monterey Bay NMS
• Rexford Keyes - Recreation
• Bob Wilson - GFNMS Advisory Council Liaison

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

APPROVAL OF 8/15/08 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Kaitilin Gaffney, seconded by Mike Bekker
(Vote: 13 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions)

II. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Mary Lee Becwar urged the council and MBNMS staff to consider two full time replacements for Michele Roest. One staff member would cover the Coastal Discovery Center and the volunteers and the second person would cover MBNMS related issues. Becwar thanked the MBNMS for their support of Friends of the Elephant Seal.

David Debritz, a volunteer at the Natural History Museum in Morro Bay, commented that the position Michele Roest fills has to be filled quickly. He urged MBNMS to find someone who has strong resources like Michele had.

Ken Dunn, Vice President of the Board for Friends of the Elephant Seal, supported the earlier comments made regarding a backfill Michele Roest’s position.

Bob Wilson, GFNMS advisory council liaison, provided several updates on GFNMS related items.

• At the July meeting the advisory council adopted two resolutions: support of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process and expressing support of the Special Closure Areas. This is particularly important to the GFNMS in regard to seabirds. Six special closure areas up north have been established.
• September 27th was the opening of the California Academy of Sciences. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put in $2 million for that facility. Docents have been cross-trained on sanctuary related information and there have been about 500 volunteers trained so far. – In regards to the GFNMS Facilities Master Plan, GFNMS has the permits from the Golden Gate Recreation Area for reconstruction of other buildings.
• In regards to the Bolinas Lagoon, GFNMS came in as facilitator and brought in money and science and the community has negotiated a plan. The plan has been forwarded to the county.
• At the MLPA hearing, before the Department of Fish and Game, staff gave a testimony on areas of special closures.
• Regarding a climate solutions initiative. GFNMS has been able to obtain one of the first grants regarding ocean acidification, which was coordinated with Cordell Bank NMS. There was not enough money with this first grant to come down south into the MBNMS, but hopefully they will in the future.
• GFNMS was able to negotiate a process with stakeholders in Tomales Bay for the Vessel Management Plan.
• The GFNMS advisory council held a retreat and worked on an annual work plan.
• A Conservation alternate and an At-large representative are two seats GFNMS is currently recruiting for. Applications are due October 27th.

Hunter Kilpatrick, a docent at the Coastal Discovery Center, commented that the volunteers are going to miss Michele. He stated there is a strong need to hire a second person at the Coastal Discovery Center.

III. UPDATE: SOUTHERN REGION AND COASTAL DISCOVERY CENTER

Michele Roest, Southern Region Program Coordinator, provided an update on issues in the MBNMS southern region and the Coastal Discovery Center. Michele Roest’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

The MBNMS advisory council adopted the following two resolutions:

Resolution 1
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council thanks Michele Roest for her long and faithful service on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Deborah Streeter, seconded by Gary Pezzi
(Vote: 13 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions)

Resolution 2
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council encourages Paul Michel and Dan Basta in their efforts to continue a strong Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff presence in the southern region and at the Coastal Discovery Center.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Deborah Streeter, seconded by Michael Dawson
(Vote: 13 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions)

Deborah Streeter, At-large primary, commented the advisory council usually does not take part in staffing, but has done this though in the past. She wanted to recognize the strong community support the advisory council just heard for the MBNMS presence in the southern region. She stated the advisory council should take seriously the community voices that have been heard today. She encourages Paul Michel, or the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), in his efforts to continue a strong MBNMS staff presence in the southern region and at the Coastal Discovery Center. PJ Webb, At-large primary, stated she strongly supports Deborah’s suggested actions. It was determined the resolutions should be forwarded to Paul Michel and to Dan Basta, ONMS Director, for added financial support.

Kaitilin Gaffney acknowledged and thanked the members of the public who came to the meeting to speak for the MBNMS and Michele’s work. She commented that it is great to take the time out and come to say something positive.

IV. ENFORCEMENT UPDATE

Dayna Matthews, NOAA Office for Law Enforcement, provided a presentation on his responsibilities as the West Coast Enforcement Coordinator and the advisory council’s Law Enforcement working group. Mr. Matthews’ powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

The advisory council had several questions and comments to include: could the Law Enforcement working group produce some kind of flowchart or way the average person can understand who they contact in an emergency?; The working group expressed a need to engage the advisory council in this working group plan, how do you envision the advisory council engaging in this working group plan?; There was some discussion of who the public calls when they see injured or dead animals. There are many different agencies and the public won’t know whom to call to get to the correct agency. It was suggested that a number similar to 911 of 411 be looked into for these types calls.

V. UPDATE: MBNMS MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) PROCESS

Mike Eng, Resource Protection Coordinator, provided an introduction to the MPA presentation, focusing on the efforts of the subcommittee to advance the planning process. The subcommittee had one meeting and another planned for the 27th of October. MBNMS staff has continued to work on the MPA process framework and we are incorporating lessons we draw from other processes to date (e.g. Channel Islands NMS and Florida Keys NMS). We want this to be as an effective a process as possible. Some of the key features we anticipate: strong emphasis on agency collaboration, a strong scientific basis to help inform and guide this process, collaboration with non-governmental agencies, an effective and engaged advisory council sponsored working group, a robust public involvement process. We do anticipate using the procedural process of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We will have a revised schedule for your consideration around the first of the year. We will continue to get from the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Game about their participation. We are looking at marine protected areas to serve as an effective tool to accomplish the sanctuary’s goal of resource management. We are looking to build on and improve new partnerships with other organizations. We are looking at this process to improve existing relationships with some of the sanctuary's constituencies.

Mike informed the advisory council that the MBNMS has received a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding the needs decision from February and April.

Kirk Schmidt, Agriculture primary, provided a brief report of the first MPA subcommittee meeting. Mr. Schmidt’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

The working group has made the most progress on item #5 to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the science panel. The meetings of both the science panel and the MPA working group will be open to the public, a facilitator may not be needed for all meetings, but maybe the first meeting of the science panel. There was consideration as to how the two groups would set their agendas, as well as what groups would be represented on both groups and we have received suggestions and input on that issue.
Questions and comments from the public included: Steve Scheiblauer stated that the MBNMS has made a mistake in the way the needs document was framed and in consultations with NMFS and other agencies.

Nicole Capps, Advisory Council Coordinator, walked the advisory council through an update to the contents of their MPA binders.

VI. LUNCH

VII. UPDATE: MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT (MLPA)

Paul Reilly provided an update on the MLPA process in southern California. After some discussion the advisory council decided to have four MLPA presentations per year that are more substantial. Presentations will be given every other month beginning with the February 2009 meeting.

Some advisory council questions and comments included: it would be good to have a future agenda item to hear more of the monitoring projects going on by bring in some of the researchers; have you been looking at the monitoring in the water column?; we need to have “What is a monitoring program” as a future agenda item.

VIII. UPDATE: CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (CINMS)

Chris Mobley, CINMS Superintendent, provided a brief update on CINMS issues and programs. He recognized two CINMS advisory council members who were present earlier in the day. CINMS staff provided two documents for the advisory council, a one-page document describing the on Multicultural Education Regarding Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO) program and a document on ocean acidification. A CINMS working group conducted a major study on the issue and the advisory council adopted the study and received a lot of presentations at their last meeting.

IX. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION REGARDING ISSUES THREATENING OCEANS (MERITO)

Sacha Lozano, MERITO Coordinator, provided a presentation on the MERITO program. This presentation was provided on behalf of both MBNMS and CINMS. Mr. Lozano’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Some advisory council questions and comments included: what are you being taught from these communities while you are out there?; What do you have in place to know you have accomplished your mission?; When and how do you know you have accomplished your mission? Given the soft money aspect, do you have a base budget? We haven’t been successful in trying to get more multicultural support on the advisory council.

X. UPDATE: JOINT MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW

Paul Michel, Sanctuary Superintendent, provided a brief update on the status of the Joint Management Plan. Mr. Michel’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Some advisory council questions and comments included: A primer is needed on what is new and what is significant in the management plan; Is there a commitment to have a good media outreach on this? There are some things advisory council members can do and one idea is an editorial brown bag with central coast reporters; maybe an open house in different areas would be helpful.

XI. UPDATE: DAVIDSON SEAMOUNT

Erica Burton, Research Specialist, provided a presentation on the status of the Davidson Seamount. Ms. Burton’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Some advisory council questions and comments included: The action plan working group did not reach consensus on this action plan. There shouldn’t be the perception the working group was in support of this. I hope the MBNMS takes it to the Pacific Fishery Management Council for their support; this issue is one that could be engaging to the public. The media and community would find this interesting.

XII. PARTICIPATION OF SANCTUARY ADVSORY COUNCILS IN THE NATIONAL ARENA

Chris Harrold, Advisory Council Chair, provided background information on the letter from Dan Basta requesting input from advisory councils on how the ONMS can engage with national constituency groups.

Some advisory council suggestions included: approaching PADI or NAUI to come up with a recognition program so divers could put stickers in their dive books to show which sanctuaries they have been diving in; launch an effort with the National Science Teachers Association or the National Marine Educators Association; some religious communities could include the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, the Coalition of Catholics, Protestant, Jews and Evangelicals; contact outdoor education leaders, such as boating and kayaking associations and possibly have some recognition for them going out into sanctuaries; engage national dive associations with sanctuaries; possibly expand the Thank You Ocean Campaign nationwide; there are a number of non-governmental organizations who do ocean conservation, maybe reach out to them.

Chris also asked the advisory council if they had any ideas on a case study for the 2009 National Chairs/Coordinators Meeting in Alpena, Michigan. Some ideas included collaborative research, one of the educational presentations the advisory council has received over the last year, how MERITO actually operates without any funding from ONMS, possibly discuss how MERITO and SIMoN can get things done without full funding, how the advisory council helped develop the action plans and the management plan is a lasting model and pick one action plan to highlight in the case study.

XIII. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mike Bekker, Tourism primary, stated the Monterey peninsula has lost another summer in terms of educating tourists of what they are looking at. He stated he has a feeling we may be at the short end of the stick next year depending on who gets elected.

Cindy Walter, Business and Industry primary, stated that one of the local business owners organized businesses on Fisherman’s Wharf so restaurants are saving fry oil as waste. Some fishermen are using it to power their boat engines. She commented that the beaches on Fisherman’s Wharf are littered with trash. Businesses are taking turns on a daily basis to clean those beaches and are tracking it in order to contact individual businesses, whose trash they are finding, to address the issue. There has been no media regarding this initiative.

Kathy Fosmark, Commercial Fishing primary, stated that the Pacific Fishery Management Council will be meeting in San Diego, November 2-7. The Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fishing is working on an opinion poll that will include tourism and why people come to this area.

PJ Webb, At Large primary, thanked everyone for coming and going to the appreciation event the evening prior. In regards to marine debris, there is a push towards a plastics ban in this county.

Paul Michel announced there was a Leadership Team meeting in September in Washington, D.C. The group spent a lot of time on education and outreach. A full day was focused on climate change. Coming to the sanctuary program in the next year or so is a rare opportunity for the Department of Defense to give sanctuaries money to have exchange students from the middle east spend time getting to know high school kids in the states focusing on marine conservation. If that program comes to Monterey, I would like the advisory council to be part of that. Also, the MBNMS was able to kick off a feasibility study with Station Monterey Coast Guard to physically move the MBNMS offices there.

Paul Reilly commented that the south end of Carmel beach smells like rotting kelp.

Mike Bekker commented that we need to go after the construction industry and educate them. The individuals they hire are sometimes from other areas and do not know about the sanctuary, so they do not know how to clean their equipment properly.

Robert Frischmuth, At Large alternate, stated the efforts to ban Styrofoam containers in Monterey County is making headway.

Kortney Leabourne, At Large alternate, announced that TeamOCEAN ended the season for the year. She stated they talked to thousands of people on the water.

XIV. REVIEW WORK PLAN, UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS & 2009 SCHEDULE

Nicole Capps worked with the advisory council on future agenda items and provided them with their 2009 meeting schedule. Some of the future agenda items include: whale disentanglement, invasive species and MLPA monitoring. The advisory council decided to change their December 2008 meeting from December 19th to December 12th.

XV. ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING: December 12, 2008, Monterey Peninsula
The meeting adjourned at 4:21 PM

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator