Mark
Carr postponed his presentation on PISCO, to allow for more time for
discussion of the JMPR Action Plans
Institutional Update: UCSC Long Marine Lab (Gary Griggs)
Presentation on IMS and research: The Institute budget is suffering,
decreasing at a rate of 10% per year over the last two years. Marine
researchers enhance the budget through overhead on grants. The IMS
site has grown extensively since the 1970’s and there is still
much build-out to occur. The goal is to bring together science, education
and policy; to bring together university, other state and federal
programs together
.
Gary also serves on the U.C. Marine Council, that has a web site to
help locate scientists in different fields of interest (see http://www.ucop.edu/RESEARCH/UCMARINE)
IMS is involved in several ocean observing projects including:
the Center for Integrated Marine Technologies (NOAA funded $2mil 1st
yr; another proposal has been submitted); CENCOOS (NOAA funded to
support a regional coordinator for Central California) request for
proposals for coordinator; and NCAHOOtS (Proposition 40 funds for
a State effort to bring people together to observe water quality issues).
IMS is also involved with a new environmental toxicology program on
campus; a marine mammal partnership with MBA (focus on otters); a
USGS-move of 125 people to a new coastal geology building; and developing
a new graduate program on coastal marine policy.
Upcoming
JMPR SAC meeting July 30- August 1
Chris Harrold gave background on the Joint Management Plan Process,
in relation to Action Plans (see the Sanctuary web site http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/jointplan
for more information).
Comments on individual action plans:
Submerged cables
-The action plan did not sufficiently identify environmental risks
(crossing rocky substrate) and feasibility of cable inspection.
-Characterization of the seafloor habitats is key (in fact, characterization
of all habitats is important and should be elevated in the plan through
SIMoN)
Harbors
and Dredging
-The scientific community should be notified if dredging occurs, as
they have instruments in these areas.
-It is critical to do research to understand why the need for dredging
has increased through time (find watershed management solutions to
dredging issues).
Introduced Species
-Priority strategies, especially relevant to the Sanctuary program
are: early detection and an effective response plans, as well as stopping
new invasions is of the highest priority.
-Other priorities are focusing on mechanisms of introduction (non-ballast)
and education.
Benthic Habitats
-The action plan focused on the effects of trawling on benthic habitats,
the title of this plan should be changed to reflect this.
-As mentioned for the cable plan, habitat characterization should
be a critical research goal in this plan.
-The plan should reflect that the Sanctuary should be a model of adaptive
management in dealing with trawling; including testing management
strategies with experiments.
-More social science is needed
Davidson
Seamount
-Not a topic that reached consensus.
-Some felt that this was a low priority relative to other management
issues already on the Sanctuary plate, that including this into a
draft management plan analysis would be too expensive; science may
be more interesting at some other seamounts.
-Some suggest that the Sanctuary should participate in an effort to
develop a national initiative to protect seamounts.
-Others felt that there are great education, protection and research
benefits to having the Davidson be part of the Sanctuary. That a national
initiative would not likely be considered by anyone if Davidson was
not part of the Sanctuary. Cost could be minimal with significant
conservation benefits, instead of waiting until there is a problem
or commercial interest at the site. There are administrative and logistic
advantages of Davidson being next to the MBNMS.
Special
Marine Protected Areas
-Action plan lacks a discussion of success of other MPAs.
–The Sanctuary is poised to do high intensity experiments and
that sociological impacts should be researched and addressed.
-Continued monitoring in existing reserves should be a priority.
Ecosystem
monitoring
-It was agreed that the visibility of SIMoN must be elevated in the
action plan.
-The Sanctuary should be involved in coordinating and archiving data.
Operations
and Administration
-There should be a clear indication of “turn-around time”
on permits, and scientists should be informed by the Sanctuary about
what other agencies will also require a permit for the proposed research.
