MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary July 7th, 2006

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

MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary, July 7, 2006

Host: California Sea Grant

Location: NOAA Fisheries Service, Santa Cruz Lab

Date: Friday, July 7, 2006; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

In Attendance:

* Sanctuary Advisory Council Member: Research (Primary)
† Sanctuary Advisory Council Member: Research (Alternate)

CONSENT ITEMS

Introductions/modifications to the agenda (Chris Harrold)

PRESENTATIONS

Institutional Update: California Sea Grant (Caroline Pomeroy)

Caroline Pomeroy presented the California Sea Grant institutional update in her new position as Marine Advisor. The Sea Grant Extension Program has statewide responsibilities to study and advise on the socioeconomics and human dimensions of state fisheries, including education and outreach of coastal communities. Current studies include: Exposure of Santa Cruz wharf anglers to domoic acid found in commonly caught fish; Harmful Algal Research and Response; and Characterizing West Coast Fisheries and Fishing Communities.

An Olde IDEA - Biotechnology to Measure Stress Loading (Gary Sharp)

Gary Sharp presented a review of his recent visit to Mallorca where the IDEA Project was looking for its future focus. The topic of interest being physiological stress induced processes, known as stress hormesis. Gary recommended that the RAP read about the application of biotechnology employed to assess locations with multiple stressors, instead of focusing on measuring individual stressors, such as PCBs, out of context (Ard Stebbing publications 1973-1990s). Gary noted that stressors may increase growth or population rates in the short term, which is often counterintuitive to current monitoring or management methods.

Central Coast Water Quality Assessment and Synthesis (Gary Conley)

Gary Conley was recently hired by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to work at a water quality analyst for the newly formed SAM project (Sanctuary's Water Quality Data Synthesis, Assessment, and Management). The SAM project objectives are: to assess the current state of water quality; identify trends in parameters over time and space associated with non-point source pollutants; analyze relationships between parameters and land management practices; develop procedures for data assessment, analysis, integration, management, and reporting; and produce a model for ongoing work. Data sources include CCLEAN, Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network, and Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program. The expected results from this multi-partner program include an assessment report, workshop, strategic plan, and a synthesized data set that will be made available on the SIMoN website.

UPDATES

MLPA update (Mark Carr)

Mark Carr presented an update on the Marine Life Protection Act process for the central coast, which can be accessed at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/phase1.html

Mark described the interactions between the Central Coast Regional Stakeholder's Group, the Science Advisory Team, and the Blue Ribbon Task Force. The Fish and Game Commission will make the final decision on all packages. The meeting schedule is as follows:

• August 2, Fish and Game Commission meeting, Sacramento
• August 15, Fish and Game Commission meeting, Monterey (votes for preferred proposal for Central Coast Network of MPAs)
• November 20, Blue Ribbon Task Force, Sacramento

SAC meeting update (Chris Harrold)

Postponed due to meeting time constraints

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Nomination of representatives to be selected and ratified for RAP membership (Chris Harrold)

Curt Storlazzi volunteered to sit on the RAP member selection committee. Nominations for open primary or alternate positions for the following disciplines were discussed: Biological Oceanography, Deep Sea Ecology, Water Quality, Physical Oceanography, Fisheries, and Social Sciences. RAP members volunteered to contact nominees in their respective disciplines to discuss interest in RAP membership consideration.

Sanctuary Currents 2007

The Sanctuary Currents Symposium organizers are soliciting ideas for topics. RAP members suggested focusing on ocean observations pertinent to MPA monitoring and other Sanctuary monitoring programs, including the following themes of applications: how ocean observations apply to different areas such as oil spills, MPAs, land-sea interface, the human dimension (fisheries or society), regional associations, satellite observations, seafloor processors, education factor (how to access the information), and demonstrating maps and datasets available.

SUGGESTED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Designation of RAP members and alternates/attendence
• Update from MBNMS staff on effectiveness of water quality protection programs