MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary January 14th, 2005

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

MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary January 14th, 2005

Host: USGS Pacific Science Center

In Attendance:

Institution Representatives

• Chris Harrold (Chair), Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Andrew DeVogelaere (RAP Coordinator), MBNMS
• Greg Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs
• Michael Field, USGS
• Curt Storlazzi, USGS
• Churchill Grimes, NOAA/NMFS
• Steve Moore, CSUMB
• Robin Tokmakian, Naval Postgraduate School
• Kerstin Wasson, ESNERR/ESF
• Gary Sharp, Ctr. for Climate/Ocean Resources

Guests

• Rex Sanders, USGS
• Chad King, MBNMS
• Josh Pederson, MBNMS
• Becky Stamski, MBNMS

CONSENT ITEMS

Steve Moore of CSUMB was announced as the nominee for RAP Vice-chair. Steve must now apply for the position through the SAC.

Curt Storlazzi, of the USGS, was introduced as the new RAP alternate. Curt is a research geologist and oceanographer who has worked in the Monterey region for several years (http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/staff/cstorlazzi/).

The 2005 RAP meeting schedule was confirmed. For viewing, click here.

PRESENTATIONS

Institutional Update: USGS Pacific Science Center (Mike Field)

Mike Field gave a presentation on the USGS Pacific Science Center in Santa Cruz, current residence for 40-50 coastal and marine geologists. By 2009, the remainder of the Coastal and Marine Geology Team (another 120 scientists and staff) is anticipated to move from Menlo Park to Santa Cruz, by which time a new facility will have to be occupied. Mike gave an overview of the diverse studies that are going on at the Pacific Science Center, including work on geologic hazards, groundwater, benthic habitat mapping, coastal erosion, sediment dynamics, coral reefs and geochemistry. Click here for more details. Mike also mentioned that Bruce Jaffe, a USGS scientist from Santa Cruz, was in Sri Lanka as part of an international tsunami response team; their mission is to understand how these waves work so we can better prepare for future disasters.

"USGS Monterey Bay Knowledge Bank” (Rex Sanders)

Rex Sanders gave a presentation on a USGS website that brings together all of the USGS science relating to Monterey Bay. The website includes news, an interactive map server, a field data catalog, a digital library, and a bibliography. Research about the Monterey region from outside the USGS is also being included and can be added using the interactive “add document” function on the website. This is a pilot project and Rex encourages local researchers to explore the website and send him feedback; he also would like to give presentations demonstrating the capabilities of the website at regional marine science institutions. Please contact Rex for details.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Report on November GIS workshop (Gary Sharp)

The November GIS workshop included a very informative presentation by Chad King of the MBNMS SIMoN team. The workshop was a success, though there was a need expressed to further disseminate and share data in a timely manner. In addition, the importance of archiving historical data was mentioned; the suggestion was put forth to have undergraduates transfer older data into digital formats as a form of school projects.

Update on December 2004 SAC meeting (Chris Harrold)

The December 2004 MBNMS SAC meeting was held jointly with GFNMS and CBNMS. Minutes can be viewed here (to be posted after approval at the February SAC meeting). Of relevance to the RAP, GFNMS has no plans to develop their own RAP, but CBNMS may want to start one. SAC members requested information on a central source for information about MPAs. RAP members suggested the National MPA website, which needs to be publicized more. Chris Harrold will relay this information to the SAC at the next meeting.

Future of the RAP: A proposal (Chris Harrold)

Chris Harrold presented a proposal entitled, “The RAP in 2005 and Beyond: A Concept Proposal.” The proposal focused on the purpose, composition and organization of the RAP; it incorporated previous comments and suggestions from the RAP, SAC and MBNMS staff. A document outlining the proposal was handed out; an updated version, incorporating the comments and suggestions made during Chris’ presentation, will be sent to RAP members.

Comments from RAP members on the “Future of the RAP” Proposal:

• On general membership criteria:
  • Add a fifth bullet to ensure that RAP members are multidisciplinary
• On the discussion of disciplines:
  • What kind of scientists will fill each discipline to ensure that all other sub-disciplines are covered (e.g. inverts, fish, water column, phycology)?
  • Habitats vs. organismal organization, make sure we cover all of these
• On membership:
  • Give a “standing invitation” to GFNMS and CBNMS research coordinators instead of membership
  • Need a CA Fish and Game representative, where do they fit in?
• On selection of RAP members:
• Add RAP Vice-chair to membership selection committee or a volunteer from the RAP
• On term limits:
  • Having a 3-year term with only one second concurrent term is too severe
  • Create an evaluation process to have control over membership
  • Value of having long-term members will be lost with term limits
• On meeting format:
  • If RAP meetings are more purpose-driven (and that purpose is stated in agenda emailed out prior to the meeting), attendance will increase
  • 6 meeting format is good
• On attendance:
  • There will be times when members and alternate both cannot make it (conference, field work etc…)
  • Instead, suggest 100% attendance
  • Trying to raise the bar from what we have now
  • If attendance is poor, membership should be re-evaluated
• On member responsibilities:
  • Require connection between alternate and primary member
  • Add “basic science” to bullet about marine conservation science, but members need to be willing to contribute to marine conservation discussion
  • How is marine conservation science different from science related to the JMP?
  • Bringing RAP summaries/agendas back to the home institutions is not a primary responsibilities anymore (it doesn’t really happen anyway)

SUGGESTED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

How can the RAP or RAP Chair truly represent “the research community”?