MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary September 12th, 2008

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

Host: Jason Vasques - Fisheries (California Department of Fish and Game)

Location: California Department of Fish and Game,
Conference Room,
20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100,
Monterey, CA 93940

Date: Friday, September 12th, 2008; 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 (John Hunt)

• Ocean Science Summit presentation by Judith Kildow was moved ahead in the agenda

New RAP Members and Vice-Chair (John Hunt)

• RAP welcomed three new members, filling three vacant disciplines
  • James Lindholm - Nearshore Ecology (Primary); CSUMB
  • Steve Ramp - Physical Oceanography (Alternate); CeNCOOS/MBARI
  • Jason Vasques - Fisheries (Alternate); CDFG
• RAP welcomed new Vice-Chair
  • John Hunt, Water Quality (Alternate); University of California, Davis

Introduction of Mike Eng (Resource Protection Coordinator/MBNMS)

• Mike Eng described his background and new role as Resource Protection Coordinator at MBNMS. He filled the position, previously held by Holly Price.

PRESENTATIONS

Ocean Science Summit (Judith Kildow)

• Judith summarized the Ocean Science Summit held in Monterey in May 2008
• Goals of the Summit included:
  • Expand and improve communications between scientists, engineers, and legislators
  • Raise the visibility of oceans in climate change discussion and generally on Capitol Hill
  • Help scientists and engineers provide clear messages about their work
  • Engage scientists in understanding the political system
• Next Steps include the preparation and release of a Summit Report and an Expanded Briefing Paper

Central Coast Research and MPA Monitoring Update (Diane Haas and Jason Vasques/CDFG)

• Jason and Diane presented current research and MPA monitoring projects at CDFG, including:
  • ROV surveys of finfish and invertebrates, inside and outside of MPAs
  • Spot prawn surveys at Soquel Canyon and Portuguese Ledge
  • Fish abundance, size, and movement at Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve
  • Nearshore fish surveys for baseline fisheries management
  • Monterey Halibut monitoring (stock assessment)
  • Hagfish monitoring (re-emerging fishery, management)
• Rick Starr provided copies of new publication summarizing first year of ROV MPA surveys by Yoklavich and Starr, "Monitoring MPAs in Deep Water Off Central California: 2007 IMPACT Submersible Baseline Survey." Rick will send PDF and website to RAP when available.

Planned Investigation of Big Sur Fires' Impact on MBNMS (Curt Storlazzi)

• Several research groups will work together to study the impacts of the Big Sur Fires on the nearshore ecosystem
• Curt presented a map of the fire extent, and reviewed the existing research programs working in the Big Sur area
  • PISCO
  • Melissa Foley (UCSC): influence of land on nearshore kelp forest communities
  • MBNMS Water Quality Projection Program's Snapshot Day
  • USGS
• USGS will work with these groups and coordinate research activities
• USGS and others would like to collect data before and after the first rain
• Ship time is needed for collection of box cores, and money is needed for processing samples; USGS can match staff/lab time
• If there are any interests, RAP should send an email to Andrew DeVogelaere and Steve Lonhart; a separate group will be formed to discuss research issues

STAFF/SAC REQUESTS TO RAP

Sanctuary Currents Symposium: Ideas for speakers and topics (Erica Burton/MBNMS)

• In August, Chris Harrold brought the RAP's ideas for the 2009 Currents Symposium theme to the planning committee meeting, and a theme was chosen: "From past to future -- altered ecosystems of the MBNMS" (focusing on ecological history, history of human use, and shifting baselines)
• Erica asked the RAP for ideas on potential speakers and topics; the RAP provided many good ideas and these will be forwarded to the planning committee

PRESENTATION

Pelagic Shark Research Foundation Update (Sean Van Sommeran/PSRF)

• Sean summarized current projects, including:
  • Sharks and rays at Elkhorn Slough
  • Pelagic sharks at Monterey Canyon
  • White shark study at Ano Nuevo

DISCUSSION ITEMS

SAC Meeting Debrief (John Hunt and Mike Eng/MBNMS)

• John summarized research topics presented at August SAC meeting, including presentations by Raphael Kudela and John Ryan on Harmful Algal Blooms
• Mike Eng provided an update on MBNMS's process of moving forward with MPAs in federal waters of the Sanctuary
• For more info on the SAC meeting and MPA process documents, including NOAA's process for regulating fisheries in sanctuaries, see http://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/2008/081508/agenda.html

SUGGESTED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Data integration across monitoring programs (e.g., water quality, PISCO, MARINe, IOOS), and availability to the public
• The Nature Conservancy's trawling impact study at Morro Bay
• RAP identified priority of topics below:
  1. SIMoN
  2. MPA Science Synthesis - MLPA (Mark Carr)

Future Agenda Items (running list):

• Water Quality
  • Findings on tracking pathogens in sea otters and connection to FW flows (CDFG, UC Davis?)
  • Critical coastal areas presentation (ASBS, areas water quality impaired, areas in good state; Ross Clark)
• SIMoN
  • SIMoN: future monitoring (JMPR or beyond)
  • SIMoN Special Status Species Project (Jennifer Brown)
  • Linking SIMoN to management (Amber Szoboszlai)
• MPAs
  • CINMS MPA evaluation (Mark Carr/NCEAS)
  • MPA science synthesis - MLPA (Mark Carr)
  • MPA monitoring projects (Jason Vasques)
• Coastal armoring and coastal erosion (Ed Thornton)
• Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS)
• Wave Model Development and Implementation (Paul Wittmann/Fleet Numerical)