MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes December 12th, 2008

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
December 12th, 2008
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, CA

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) Advisory Council met on Friday, December 12, 2008, in Monterey, California. Public categories and government agencies were present as indicated:

The following non-voting members were present as indicated:

• Monterey Bay NMS: Paul Michel

Alternates present in audience:

• Kortney Leabourne - At-Large
• Robert Frischmuth - At-Large
• Karen Grimmer - Monterey Bay NMS
• Rexford Keyes - Recreation
• Randy Herz - Diving

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

APPROVAL OF 10/17/08 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

The advisory council passed the October 17, 2008 meeting minutes with the following change: -Page 5, paragraph 3 under “Update: Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA))”, change the last word from “month” to “meeting”.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Mike Bekker, seconded by Cindy Walter
(Vote: 10 in favor, 0 opposed, 4 abstentions)

II. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Andy Heff, Monterey CoastKeeper, brought to the attention of the advisory council that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency is applying on behalf of landowners along the Salinas River for an emergency permit to remove riparian vegetation and all sand bars along the lower 50 miles of the river. He encourages the MBNMS to listen to partners at the National Marine Fisheries Service and not support this emergency permit.

Robert Frischmuth, Liaison to the Gulf of the Farallones NMS, provided an update on the last GFNMS advisory council meeting. The GFNMS advisory council adopted a resolution on offshore oil drilling. He commented that there has been progress on their planning for restoration of Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay. He announced there is a concern about hydrokinetic energy and it could possibly be an item for a joint GF/MB advisory council meeting.

Laura Kasa, Save Our Shores, announced their new clean boating program, which is where their dock walker program is housed. Lauren Gilligan was hired and started this summer. She will be working in Monterey as the main staff person. They will be restarting the central coast chapter of the Clean Boating Network. She would appreciate any input on who should be involved in that program.

Bonnie Van Hise, District Scheduler for Congressman Farr, announced Congress would likely take up the issue of offshore oil drilling. Congressman Farr and his staff have had good negotiations with urchin fisherman and the sea otter bill. The Coastal Zone Act may be strengthened next year. The Congressman is still pushing for Oceans 21. Bonnie announced that Congress is in session on January 6.

III. UPDATE: ENFORCEMENT

Dayna Matthews, NOAA Office for Law Enforcement, provided a presentation on the Law Enforcement working group.

Some advisory council questions and comments included: the Mavericks Surf Contest is an opportunity to conduct outreach. Staff should talk about the new management plan and enforcement issues; event coordinators have contracted a helicopter in past years that has disturbed marine mammals. Is it possible to have a chat with the pilots and let them know a one strike rule applies?; suggest using the resources of the Sanctuary Education Panel when notified of the event in order to not rely so heavily on staff; are fines in place for prohibitions?

IV. UPDATE: JOINT MANAGEMENT PLAN OVERVIEW AND WRAP-UP

Paul Michel, Superintendent, and Karen Grimmer, Deputy Superintendent, provided an update on the completion of the joint management plan. Karen also covered the changes in sanctuary regulations. Paul announced he would be seeking advisory council advice on relative priority of action plans within the new management plan, given budget and staffing constraints and the fact that some progress has already been made on several action plans.

The Advisory Council expressed interest in receiving talking points or training on the changes in regulations in order to accurately communicate with their constituencies.

The issue of prohibited activities versus permitted activities was raised. To prohibit an activity, but allow it through a permit is confusing to the public.

A workshop for harbormasters regarding the introduced species and abandoned vessel action plans was suggested.

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

Mike Eng, Resource Protection Coordinator, provided a summary on the MPA process to date and where the process is going.

Chris Harrold provided a presentation on the outcomes of the MPA subcommittee meeting. Mr. Harrold’s powerpoint presentation can be viewed here.

The Advisory Council provided Mike and Chris with input for the MPA subcommittee. These comments will be brought to the next MPA subcommittee meeting. Paul indicated that he would like the subcommittee to wrap up its task by April so the working group and science panel application process could get underway.

VI. UPDATE: ADVISORY COUNCIL CHARTER RENEWAL

Frank Degnan, Diving primary and subcommittee chair, provided a summary of the two subcommittee meetings held to date.

Several Advisory Council members provided suggested revisions to the charter. These revisions will be brought to the next charter renewal subcommittee meeting and will be considered by the subcommittee. The subcommittee’s suggested revisions to the charter will again be brought before the full Advisory Council for their review and acceptance.

VII. LUNCH

VIII. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: MONITORING OF NEARSHORE FISH SPECIES WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO THE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS WITHIN SANCTUARY WATERS

Noelle Yochum, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, provided a presentation on monitoring of nearshore fish species within and adjacent to several marine protected areas within sanctuary waters.

Ms. Yochum’s powerpoint presentation can be viewed at here.

Scot Lucas, California Department of Fish and Game, also provided a presentation regarding baseline population and movement studies of nearshore fish species at Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve.

Mr. Lucas’ powerpoint presentation can be viewed at here.

IX. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: JUMBO SQUID INVADERS

John Field, National Marine Fisheries Service, provided a presentation on jumbo squid and his research.

X. IX. PROPOSED RESOLUTION REGARDING OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF (OCS MORATORIUM)

Steve Shimek, Conservation alternate, provided background on the proposed resolution regarding oil and gas development on the outer continental shelf.

After some discussion, the advisory council passed the resolution for President Elect Obama to promptly reinstate the executive Outer Continental Shelf deferrals. The only change made to the proposed resolution was to add “Elect” in between President Obama in the seventh paragraph.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Steve Shimek, seconded by Deborah Streeter
(Vote: 9 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstentions)

XI. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: WHALE DISENTANGLEMENT

Mary Whitney, Fluke Foundation, provided an educational presentation on the status of the State of California with regards to whale disentanglement.

XII. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Randy Herz, Diving alternate, announced there was a CD and brochure on Ships to Reefs, which were handed out at the DEMA show in Las Vegas. If anyone is interested in a full presentation he can connect him or her with the right individuals.

Chris Harrold announced that Airship Ventures (http://www.airshipventures.com/) could be a good research platform or aerial photography platform. Chris described his venture on the airship.

Shauna Potoky, Education primary, provided a brief update of the most recent Sanctuary Education Panel (SEP). SEP members will present as a panel at the National Marine Educators Association conference this year to help demonstrate how one can incorporate sanctuaries into educational programs. The SEP also focused on their direction for 2009, which included how they would be provide input to the SAC and Paul Michel. They would like to coordinate topics that are being covered by the Research Activities Panel and the Conservation Working Group. The group also looked at how they could green their meetings. They discussed education funding, MERTIO program discussions and ways they could support that.

Paul Reilly, CA Department of Fish and Game primary, announced the CA Fish and Game Commission was considering a definition of light touch trawl gear. Adoption of the definition would then only allow relatively small trawl nets that have lighter impact on the bottom within the California Halibut Trawl Grounds (CHTG) in southern California. This came from the industry and the Commission is favorable to this concept because it would keep trawl impacts to a minimum and would still allow for a sustainable halibut trawl fishery with the CHTG.

Michael Bekker, Tourism primary, is pushing for geotourism. Jobs are disappearing. Business is starting to fail and the food industry is the only industry holding it’s own.

PJ Webb, At Large primary, encouraged folks to think about going down to Cambria. The elephant seals are arriving.

Steve Shimek announced The Otter Project and Monterey CoastKeeper have new offices in Monterey with a total of four employees. In regards to the CWG, there was a report sent to us from the CINMS CWG and it has gone to their SAC to look at and see if there are actions required. They sent it here and are trying to get several sanctuary councils to look at this issue. The CWG will look at this report at their next meeting.

Deborah Streeter, At Large primary, encouraged everyone to come to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to see a serious of banners they will have through December. The banners are from Japan and reflects their tradition of when the fishing fleet comes to town they hang these banners on boats to let everyone know they have a good catch.

Gary Pezzi, Recreation primary, said that the Surfrider Foundation central unit is really looking at how we enforce the MPWC issues as the new regulations take effect. The central unit is basically anti MPWC even though national is taking more of a neutral position on it. The Santa Cruz chapter has done a great job on banning fast food take out containers. They are trying to see about storing large blocks of styrofoam that could later be recycled.

Libby Downey, AMBAG primary, announced that the City of Monterey is trying to get rid of plastic bags and have been talking about moving towards a ban on polystyrene. Monterey is the only city that has not enacted a ban and it is because they have conducted an environmental impact report.

Paul Michel announced that the Secretary for the Department of Commerce gave the MBNMS and CINMS a silver award for the MERITO program in customer service. He also announced that the MBNMS would be getting aerial support in mid January that will be based in Monterey. For the Santa Cruz Exploration Center the MBNMS is still working on structure and exhibit design and we are working on the capital campaign.

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

XIV. ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING: February 12, 2009, Half Moon Bay

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator