MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary August 13th, 2004

Research Activity Panel Meeting Summary
Chris Harrold, Monterey Bay Aquarium, RAP Chair

Host: Moss Landing Marine Labs Location: Conference Room Friday, August 13, 2004, 1 PM – 4 PM Followed by the annual RAP barbecue

In Attendance:

Institution Representatives

• Chris Harrold, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Chair
• Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS, RAP Coordinator
• Greg Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Mark Carr, UCSC
• Michael Field, USGS
• Steve Moore, CSUMB
• Mark Stephenson, CDFG/Mar.Pollution Studies Lab

At-Large

• Jim Harvey, MLML
• Caroline Pomeroy, UCSC
• Aaron King, Institute for MPA Science

Special Advisors

• Gary Sharp, Center for Climate/Ocean Resources Study

Guests

• Kenneth Coale, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Dave Ebert, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Steve Etchemendy, MBARI
• Hans Thomas, MBARI
• Barb Peichel, ESNERR
• Robin Tokmakian, Naval Postgraduate School
• Erika McPhee-Shaw, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Diane Steller, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Dawn Find, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Donna Kline, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Diana Stellar, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Joe Bizarro, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Sean Connell, University of Adelaide, South Australia
• Jenne Holmgren, SIMoN

Introductions/Modifications to the agenda (Chris Harrold)

Introducing Barb Peichel (ESNERR) - New staff at Elkhorn Slough Reserve with a focus on developing a plan to address tidal erosion in Elkhorn Slough.

PRESENTATIONS

Institutional Update: MLML (Kenneth Coale)

• Nine faculty, 100+ students, annual budget of $ 17.5 million Construction of a new research pier was approved recently by the Coastal Commission. It will have limited public access at the shore end of the pier.
• The 500’ foot pier, a reconstruction of an historic 1840’s pier, will extend out from Standholdt Road to reach an arm of the Monterey Canyon that comes near-shore and will accommodate deep draft ships. The 200’ R/V Thompson could pull up along side for temporary docking and the R/V McGuire could berth a short while for transfer of equipment and personnel.
• New Faculty/Staff:

  Physical Oceanographer, Dr. Erika Shaw
  Diving Safety Officer, Phycologist, Dr. Diana Steller
  Captain R/V Point Sur, Ron Harelstad
  Marine Cook R/V Point Sur, Karen Close
  Chief Engr R/V Poing Sur, Tom Martin

• For more information on faculty, research, and facilities, go to the Moss Landing Marine Labs website at http://www.mlml.calstate.edu/

Pacific Shark Research Center (Gregor Cailliet/Dave Ebert)

PSRC Objectives:

• Life History Studies,
• Population Structure & Dynamics,
• Fishery-related Studies,
• Taxonomic Issues,
• Additional Captive Elasmobranch Studies

• For more information go to the PSRC Website, www.psrc.mlml.clstate.edu/

MBARI Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) program (Steve Etchemendy)

• Steve Etchemendy, Director, Marine Operations, MBARI
• Hans Thomas, Supervisor, MBARI AUV Program
  
• Field research assets of MBARI include: three ships, two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), four moorings in Monterey Bay. CIMT has one and M1 & M2 have been out there for 15 years. One mooring has bottom nodes for real-time benthic data. MARs future includes cable observatory out to CLAM flats, and NFS observatory run by MBARI.
  
• AUV Uses include:
  • Physiology/Biology oceanography
  • Ice draft measurements
  • Seafloor mapping, to begin with Sea of Cortez (Gulf of CA)
  • Docking technology
    
• For scientists interested in using these AUVs for undersea research, contact the National Underwater Research Program out of the University of Fairbanks, AK.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

SAC update (Chris Harrold)

• Chris Harrold reported on SAC input to Sanctuary Staff on prioritizing the list of action plans. Through public input over the last several years, Sanctuary Staff identified ~24 action plans leading to a road map or blueprint for what they should be doing over the next 5 - 10 years.
• Action plans were ranked by the SAC based on the benefit of each to sanctuary resources, with two elements in mind
  
  1. the benefit from research, education, resources, protection, and
  2. the urgency.
     
• Top Four Ranked Action Plans
  
  1. Water quality protection
  2. Beach closure & contaminations
  3. Marine protected area
  4. Desalination
     
• Other drivers or factors in deciding what the sanctuary will work on include: funds available, the national priorities, and emerging issues.

RAP Alternate on the SAC/Re-purposing the RAP (Chris Harrold)

• There was discussion on reviewing the purpose and organization of the RAP. Decisions on replacing Jeff Paduan as Vice Chair will be held off until RAP meets over the next few months and decides how the RAP should operate.
• Some RAP members saw a lot of value in the current structure while others thought it could be more effective.

Annual RAP Barbecue

• The meeting was followed up by the annual RAP barbecue. Lynn Wadyka, Aaron King and family did an excellent job organizing and preparing the barbecue.
• We appreciate the support for this barbecue by the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, Friends of MLML, and Moss Landing Marine Labs.

SUGGESTED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Continued discussion and decision on the purpose and operation of the RAP