MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes October 22nd, 2009

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
October 22nd, 2009
Watsonville Civic Plaza
Watsonville, CA

The following non-voting members were present as indicated:

• Gulf of the Farallones NMS Liason: Bob Wilson
• Monterey Bay NMS: Paul Michel
• National Marine Fisheries Service: Frank Schwing
• US Coast Guard: LTJG Brittany Steward

Alternates present in audience:

• At-large: Robert Frischmuth
• At-large: Kortney Leabourne
• Tourism: Bob Massaro

Welcome from Mayor Rivas of the City of Watsonville

Paul Michel, Superintendent, swore in Bob Massaro, Tourism alternate, and Frank Schwing, National Marine Fisheries Service alternate.

APPROVAL OF 8/21/09 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

The advisory council passed the August 21, 2009 meeting minutes with the following changes:

• add clarifying language to public comment on page 2 regarding Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles.
• clarify language on state furlough days on page 2, paragraph 2.
• clarify language for Mike Bekker’s announcement on page 3, paragraph 10.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Stephany Aguilar, seconded by Mike Bekker.
(Vote: 14 in favor, 0 opposed)

The following members of the public provided comments to the advisory council: Stephany Aguilar provided information on a ballot measure for the November 2010 ballot. The ballot would ensure the State of California would no longer be able to obtain various taxes that are supposed to stay locally.

LT Brittany Steward, US Coast Guard, provided an update on the Enforcement Working Group, which was held in Cambria on October 21st. The California Department of Fish and Game is working on a volunteer enforcement program. NOAA’s Office for Law Enforcement is working on a deputization process for state park rangers and lifeguards, which would allow them to enforce NOAA regulations within sanctuary boundaries. The Enforcement Task Force will begin an annual enforcement training schedule in order to keep up with regulations. Currently there is an 11-week schedule that will ramp up to 23 weeks of training amongst all law enforcement groups. Steward stated that Scott Kathey, MBNMS Enforcement Coordinator, discussed the progress being made with the Federal Aviation Administration and charts in the no- flying-below-1,000-feet zones. Language is being worked on for those charts. The task force discussed the Twin Otter Aircraft and what an incredible resource it is for law enforcement and research.

Paul Michel clarified that the 1,000-foot ceiling is only in four zones within the sanctuary, not blanket throughout the sanctuary.

Paul Michel provided several updates on various events and outreach the Sanctuary has been involved with recently. He covered the U.S. Postal Service stamp event, MBNMS Anniversary event speakers, the Sanctuary 3D Fly Through, the Il Mare di Joe film premier, and the Hotel and Restaurant Storm Drain Pollution Prevention Workshop. Paul recognized advisory council member Mike Bekker for his efforts with the Hotel and Restaurant Storm Drain Pollution Prevention Workshop.

Jennifer Brown, SIMoN Ecosystem Scientist, provided a presentation on the MBNMS Condition Report, which was released on October 1st.

This condition report provides a summary of resources in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, pressures on those resources, current condition and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. Specifically, the document includes information on the status and trends of water quality, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources and the human activities that affect them.

There was considerable discussion by the advisory council regarding this topic. This item will be agendized for the next advisory council meeting.

Matt Pickett, Aviation Operations Coordinator, provided a presentation on NOAA’s aircraft program, specifically the NOAA Twin Otter aircraft that was stationed in Monterey, CA earlier this year. Mr. Pickett’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

After some discussion Deborah Streeter suggested the executive committee work with Paul to draft the letter. Gary and PJ will draft the letter to Paul Michel expressing appreciation for transferring the otter to the West Coast and expressing support for allocating additional resources to efforts at the MBNMS, including a list of missions from Paul.

Gary proposed writing a letter after discussion, Deborah seconded.
(14 in favor, 1 opposed, 0 abstentions)

Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS Research Coordinator, provided a presentation on the 10-year BeachCOMBER report. Mr. Devogelaere’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Paul Reilly, California Fish and Game, provided an update on the Marine Life Protection Act process. Mr. Reilly’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Kelley Johnson, Gulf of the Farallones Advisory Council Coordinator, provided a presentation on the GFNMS efforts on a climate change site scenario. Mrs. Johnson’s powerpoint presentation may be viewed here.

Paul Michel stated that it is anticipated that Monterey Bay and Channel Islands marine sanctuaries will build on this model in the future.

Paul Michel provided an update on the MBNMS marine protected areas process.

Lisa Wooninck, MBNMS Resource Protection Specialist, provided several updates to the MPA binders that were given to advisory council members last year.

Paul Michel went through the workplan and highlighted the topics the advisory council has already covered. He went around the room on each topic to determine the advisory council’s interest in each topic left on the workplan.

After some discussion the advisory council determined they would like presentations in the near future from Elkhorn Slough on their restoration project and to continue the discussion on the Condition Report.

Paul Reilly announced the Director of CDFG, Don Koch, resigned.

Charles Lester, CA Coastal Commission, announced two new commissioners. Mark Stone from Santa Cruz and Esther Sanchez from Oceanside are the two new commissioners.

Kirk Schmidt, Agriculture, announced the Sip of the Sanctuary event would take place at Moss Landing Marine Labs at 5 p.m. on October 23rd. All advisory council members are invited.

Paul Michel announced the advisory council was meeting Watsonville instead of Cambria because of budget constraints. In lieu of the advisory council not meeting in Cambria, Paul will be holding a town hall meeting in Cambria. He will attend the Docent Appreciation event and will meet with partners. Also, on October 30th he will be holding a town hall meeting to give an overview of the sanctuary and solicit feedback from the public. Paul also reminded advisory council members there was a recruitment for seats going on. Paul announced there is a new map that now has Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank boundaries, as well as Davidson Seamount.

Steve Clark, Education, announced staff was still working on placing an Education primary seat to replace Shauna Potocky.

Kathy Fosmark, Commercial Fishing, announced her boat was in Monterey Harbor, having just returned from Oregon and Washington.

Steve Scheiblauer announced that the previous Tuesday the Monterey City Council adopted a resolution to encourage NOAA and the State of California conduct a status study of the California grey whale. There is currently no study. They hope funding from NOAA will be given.

NEXT MEETING: December 10th, 2009 in Monterey
The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator