Institutional Update: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
(Kerstin Wasson)
The mission of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
(ESNERR) is conservation of estuarine ecosystems. There are several
monitoring programs that take place on the reserve. Some of these programs
were initiated by Reserve staff, and others by the National Estuarine
Research Reserve Program. Reserve sponsored monitoring projects include
benthic invertebrate, rookery, nest boxes, land use, and habitat change.
NERR system wide monitoring includes water quality, nutrients, chlorophyll,
and weather. This information is collected consistently at all 25 NERR’s
nation wide. Estuarine invasions are also monitored to compare the impacts
of the same invader at different estuaries, and to correlate estuarine
attributes with invasion success.
There
are many threats to the estuarine ecosystem including hydrological manipulations
and exotic species invasions. Hydrological manipulations are caused
by the dyking and draining of the wetlands. These manipulations cause
habitat loss and alteration. There has been a 70% loss of salt marsh
on the Reserve due to dyking at the railroad tracks. The dyke was eventually
removed in 1983. There has been an increase of tidal flow in the slough
due to the artificial mouth. In 1854 the mouth of the slough was to
the north of the main channel. The Army created the artificial opening
in line with the main channel of the slough. Bank erosion is measured
at 20 station throughout the slough. The bank is eroding at a rate of
40 cm per year, with the highest rates of loss in the mid and upper
slough. There has also been an increase in tidal creeks over time. GIS
is used to map the loss of the bank and the increase in tidal creeks.
SAC
Meeting Update / Management Plan Priorities (Chris Harrold)
Chris
updated the RAP on the recent Management Plan priority issues. Table
4.1, Summary of proposed priority issues, along with the SAC Actions
from the August meeting regarding the table was distributed to RAP members.
Any comments on the priorities should be sent to Chris. The RAP discussed
writing a letter to encourage institutional permits. Chris and Jeff
will draft a letter to be sent to the Sanctuary office. For more information,
contact Chris Harrold, charrold@mbayaq.org
Vice
Admiral Lautenbacher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere,
Visits the Monterey Bay Area (Andrew DeVogelaere)
Vice Admiral
Lautenbacher is visited the NMFS Santa Cruz lab on Friday August 9,
2002. The Vice Admiral met with several fishing representative before
a NOAA all hands luncheon. After lunch there was a presentation and
briefing by various NOAA office representatives including Churchill
Grimes, Bill Douros, and Becky Christensen.
SIMoN
Update (Andrew DeVogelaere)
Steve
Lonhart has been hired as the SIMoN Scientist. Andrew will take the
role of Acting Director until the position announcement is re-released.
The SIMoN Science Committee will be meeting in the near future to develop
the next round of RFP’s. A brochure is in the works that will summarize
SIMoN to provide additional information to the public.
Biogeographic
Assessment and Ecological Linkages Report Update (Steve Lonhart)
Comments
from RAP members on the Biogeographic Assessment have been sent to the
authors. There will be a conference call to discuss issues relating
to the report. Both reports should be complete by October. The Biogeographic
Assessment currently does not include invertebrates and algae, but the
Sanctuary is recommending that they be included. The Ecological Linkages
Report is a summary of habitats in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary office
is not impressed with the report and is suggesting major revisions.
Sanctuary
10th Anniversary Events (Kelly Newton)
This September
marks the 10th anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary and a variety of regional partners are hosting a series
of events to promote ocean awareness and conservation of the rich coastal
ecosystem of central California.
Saturday,
September 7, 2002 – 10th Anniversary Celebration in San Simeon
Guided kayaking trips, beach barbeque at Hearst Memorial State Beach,
dedication of a new Sanctuary interpretive exhibit at the Hearst Castle
Visitor Center, and dinner reception and special one-night showing of
Living Edens: Big Sur at the National Geographic Theater. For more information,
call the Sanctuary’s southern office at (805) 927-2145.
Saturday
September 14, 2002 – 10th Anniversary Celebration in Half Moon
Bay
Celebrate the grand openings of our Half Moon Bay office and Half Moon
Bay State Beach’s visitor center. Fair and children’s activities
will be held at the beach. For more information call the Sanctuary’s
Half Moon Bay office at (650) 712-8909.
Friday,
September 20,2002 – Special Panel Discussion in Monterey
From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey.
Intimate panel discussion on important ocean conservation issues hosted
by Leon Panetta. For more information, call the Sanctuary’s Monterey
office at (831) 647-4255.
Saturday,
September 21, 2002 – Oceans Fair and 10th Anniversary Celebration
in Monterey
From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Custom House Plaza. Ocean exhibits from
around the nation, boat rides and tours, street performers, face painting,
birthday cake, speeches by dignitaries, special hands-on children’s
activities including an ocean treasure hunt, puppet show and performance
by children's recording artist Linda Arnold. For more information, call
the Sanctuary’s Monterey office at (831) 647-4255.
Saturday,
September 28, 2002 – Shark Festival and 10nth Anniversary Celebration
in Santa Cruz
From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Wharf. Ocean exhibits
and hands-on activities, live sharks, children’s treasure hunt
and puppet show, live music, birthday cake, and formal ceremonies. For
more information call the Sanctuary’s Santa Cruz office at (831)
420-1630.
