MBNMS SAC Meeting Minutes February 16th, 2012

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

FINAL
February 16th, 2012
Sunset Center
Carmel, CA

The following non-voting members were present as indicated:

• Gulf of the Farallones NMS: Irina kogan
• Monterey Bay NMS: Paul Michel

• At-Large: Kortney Opshaug
• Commercial Fishing: Jiri Nozicka
• Conservation: Lauren Dockendorf
• Recreation: Robert Chatham
• Research: James Lindholm

APPROVAL OF 12/08/11 DRAFT MEETING NOTES

The advisory council approved the December 8, 2011 meeting minutes with the following substantive changes:

• Page 2, "Proposed Guidelines for Sanctuary Advisory Council Minutes", add a sentence stating Chris Harrold would revise the language and will send to advisory council members.

MOTION: (Passed)

Motion introduced by Steve Scheiblauer, seconded by Lynn Robinson.
(Vote: 12 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 abstentions)

PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES
Chris Harrold asked if there were any comments on the revised guidelines for advisory council meeting minutes that were being proposed. After some discussion the advisory council agreed to accept the proposed guidelines after removing the word "only" to the last sentence. The last sentence will read, "SAC minutes will only reflect what is written on the speaker cards."

REVIEW SEAT TERMS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TERMS
Nicole Capps, Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator, announced that elections for the Executive Committee (Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary) will take place at the April meeting. Ms. Capps also reviewed seat terms to inform members as to when their seat terms expire.

Scott Jarrett would like motorized personal watercraft (PWC) be scheduled for a future agenda with the discussion about creating a permit system for PWC surfer teams to train and work in high surf. This will include a requirement for wildlife recognition and avoidance training conducted or overseen by NOAA staff. He also suggested dropping the high surf warning requirements and use high surf advisory. Additionally, MBNMS should work with knowledgeable big wave surfers to have zones where extra large surf occurs so they can use these spots. These individuals will be identified with a permit so there does not need to be a new EIS or regulation. This permit will be three years renewable or revoked with cause. There would be a small fee for this permit.

Eric Endersby, Harbors Operation Manager for Morro Bay, stated his harbor uses K38 for their rescue PWCs. He highly endorses this company.

Ken Collins, Mavericks surfer, stated the PWC ban is responsible for deaths out at Mavericks.

Ron Cabot, Carmel resident, stated he is running for Congress in this district. The information delivered by the previous three speakers is now coming to him as he canvases the voters. He stated the PWC topic is going to be one of his campaign issues.

Steve Scheiblauer, City of Monterey Harbormaster, thanked Paul Michel for sending Mayor Della Sala's letter to the advisory council. He strongly encouraged advisory council members to read the environmental impact statement and read the studies noted there on PWCs. He also stated that MBNMS say they embrace ecosystem based management and that they really need to look at this rule and address solutions with this issue.

Paul Michel, MBNMS Superintendent, provided several important updates on what MBNMS staff has been working on over the last two months to include the "Your Sanctuary" TV show on Access Monterey Peninsula and Sanctuary Exploration Center Whale of a Tail fundraising campaign. Mr. Michel also highlighted the 150 ^thanniversary of the USS Monitor.

Cynthia Mathews, Citizen At Large members, handed out Whale of the Tail fundraising brochures to advisory council members.

Steve Scheiblauer, Harbors, asked if it would be possible to get the MBNMS Office Report by email a day or two in advance of the meeting.

Susan Ashcraft, CA Department of Fish and Game, provided a powerpoint presentation on recent and upcoming activities related to the Marine Life Protection Act. Ms. Ashcraft's powerpoint presentation may be viewed here .

Public and advisory council member comments and questions consisted of comments and suggestions related to education and outreach to fishermen about the marine protected areas, including the booklets Ms. Ashcraft highlighted; and if CA Department of Fish and Game has key indicator species to determine if the MPAs are working. Additionally, there was a request for Ms. Ashcraft to highlight the various partnerships that contribute to this effort during a future update.

Oren Frey, Co-manager of Local Catch Monterey Bay, provided a powerpoint presentation on the new Local Catch Monterey Bay program. Mr. Frey's powerpoint presentation may be viewed here .

In general, advisory council member comments supported the Local Catch Monterey Bay program.

Craig Dawe, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, provided a powerpoint presentation on the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Mr. Dawe's powerpoint presentation may be viewed here .

Advisory council member comments consisted of whether or not fishing gear has been caught on any MARS cables and if MBARI could get the word out to fishermen when gear is snagged. Dawe stated the cost to repair any damaged cables from trawling is about $100,000 for the cables and ship time involved is between $15,000-$20,000 per day. One instrument that was lost cost about $17,000 dollars and reinstallation.

Mayor Sue McCloud welcomed the advisory council to Carmel and highlighted some initiatives Carmel has taken to support clean oceans.

James Lindholm, Research alternate, was sworn in and provided a few words on why he joined the advisory council.

Dr. Rikki Dunsmore, Resource Protection Specialist, provided a powerpoint presentation on the National Marine Fisheries Service's Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA). Dr. Dunsmore's powerpoint presentation may be viewed here .

Dr. John Hunt, Deputy Superintendent, provided a powerpoint presentation on the EBMI. Dr. Hunt's powerpoint presentation may be viewed here .

After some discussion, Ms. Dunsmore stated she would send an email to the advisory council with information regarding the IEA and a request for their comments.

Geoff Shester and PJ Webb provided background on why the SEL letter was drafted and accepted any comments or suggested changes to the letter.

After much discussion the advisory council passed a motion to postpone this item until the April 19th meeting to have more time to connect with their constituencies on this topic.

MOTION: (Passed)
Postpone taking action on the SEL letter until the April 19th meeting to have more time to reach out to constituents and to follow the advisory council Charter and Protocols for member-generatd items: that an analysis of the issue at hand accompany the draft letter.

Motion introduced by Steve Scheiblauer, seconded by Lynn Robinson.
(Vote: 12 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 abstentions)

Cancelled in the interest of time.

Cancelled in the interest of time.

Conservation Working Group (CWG) – Geoff Shester, CWG Chair, requested this agenda item be moved to the beginning of the day on future agendas to ensure the updates do not get cancelled in the interest of time. Mr. Shester also requested a motion to have Julie Thayer provided an informational presentation at the next meeting on forage species.

Brian Nelson, Diving alternate, stated he would provide Nicole Capps with language for a proposed motion on motorized personal watercraft for a future agenda.

Steve Scheiblauer requests the Executive Committee have a motorized personal watercraft agenda item along the lines of recommendations from public comment.

Gary Pezzi asked the question about being able to comment on public comment. Chris Harrold reminded the advisory council of the public comment guidelines.

NEXT MEETING: Apil 19th, 2012 in Carmel
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Submitted by
Nicole Capps
Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator