MBNMS RAP Meeting Summary November 14th, 2008

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

Host: Curt Storlazzi - Marine & Coastal Geology (United States Geological Survey)

Location: USGS Coastal and Marine Geology,
Pacific Science Center,
400 Natural Bridges Drive,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Date: Friday, November 14th, 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 (Chris Harrold)

PRESENTATIONS

USGS's Brown-2-Blue studies: Investigating terrestrial impacts on northern Monterey Bay's coastal waters (Curt Storlazzi)

• Curt outlined various studies by USGS staff
  • Seafloor mapping between Ano Nuevo and Monterey Canyon
  • Groundwater discharge into the coastal zone
  • Sediment sampling from the pedestrian bridge over the San Lorenzo River
  • Cabled observatory off the Santa Cruz wharf
  • Variability in seafloor sediment grain size
  • Chemical and mineral investigation of sediment

West Coast Sanctuaries Research Vessels update (Lorraine Anglin/West Coast Region & Jean de Marignac/MBNMS)

• Jean and Lorraine gave overview of assets and recent work
  • R/V Fulmar (http://www.sanctuarysimon.org/regional_sections/fulmar/index.php)
    • 2006: few shake down cruises with partners
    • 2007: 142 DAS; 35 projects (320 scientists, 364 educators)
    • 2008: 189 DAS; 45 projects
    • 2009: no RFPs; more internal projects
    • Research Uses
      • Towed camera sled: characterization, monitoring marine reserves
      • Mapping: state waters
      • SCUBA: PISCO, MLPA monitoring, mooring servicing, photos for SIMoN library
    • RAP is welcome to join cruises
• SRVx (Small Research Vessel eXperimental)
  • Newly acquired 85ft vessel (35 knots), retrofitted
  • Goals
    • Evaluate hull design
    • Conduct missions in all 5 west coast NMS
    • Evaluate regional vessel model
  • 2008 Operations: shake down with partners
    • Diving
    • Sediment sampling, acoustic buoy development, towed camera sled, CTD
    • Squid tagging and sampling
    • Rockfish sampling and small ROV
    • Phantom HD2 ROV
• NOAA Aircraft TWIN OTTER
  • Multi-crew platform, survey endurance of 8-hours
  • Performs low and slow (<1000 AGL and 100 knots)
  • Configuration can seat 7 passengers
  • Based at Monterey Airport (2 yrs, at least)
  • Ideal for marine mammal observations
  • Training: one-time flight waiver or attend classroom and dunk school session
  • Welcoming ceremony Jan 12, 2009
  • Sampling gear needed
• Other Research Vessels: Shearwater, McArthur II, Okeanos
• Decommissioned: R/V David Starr Jordan

DISCUSSION ITEMS

SAC Update (Chris Harrold)

• Chris reviewed the August (Watsonville) and October (Cambria) meetings
  • Harmful Algal Blooms presentation - John Ryan and Raphael Kudela
  • MLPA update (regional processes; MLPA website excellent reference)
  • MBNMS Joint Management Plan update
  • Federal MPA update (MBNMS MPA Initiative)
    • Subcommittee of SAC formed to advise on MPA Initiative process and formation of working groups, including science panel
    • Chris provided hand-out for RAP input/discussion on Science Panel research discipline composition;
      • RAP made suggestions that Chris will take back to the SAC subcommittee
      • Criteria for membership should include: a person well connected and willing to reach out to colleagues in their field and willingness to report to the RAP
      • RAP will continue to advise on the composition of this Science Panel
      • Some RAP members may serve on Science Panel
      • RAP wants to comment on process document prior to finalization, and prior to Science Panel solicitation
      • If RAP has other comments: send to Chris Harrold

Joint Management Plan Update (Erica Burton/MBNMS)

• Final Management Plan documents are available (http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/jointplan/), including
  • Final EIS available
  • Final Management Plan available
  • Final Rule scheduled for release Nov 20, 2008, in conjunction with the Federal Register Notice; requires 45 days of cooling off period, for review by:
    • Congress: 45 days of continuous session
    • CA Governor
  • Completion of the review process is expected in late February/early March; at that time regulations will go into effect

Info Request: RAP input on CSUMB student projects (Amanda Grant & Shane Anderson/CSUMB)

• CSUMB Students are developing equipment (with professor Steve Moore) that may be useful to local scientists, students looking for advice on placement and design
  • Amanda's equipment: anchored sensors - temperature and current fluctuations, ~$150/each, array of 50 possible (funding dependent; Amanda_Grant@csumb.edu))
  • Shane's equipment: UW video camera system - low light, programmable, <$500, can be used on land, depth is housing dependent (considering 300 ft; Shane_Anderson@csumb.edu)
  • A.J. Cecchettiniís equipment: Turbidity sensor (only briefly mentioned)

Info Request: Science Award Nominations (Erica Burton/MBNMS)

• Erica requested nominations for two awards to be presented at the 2009 Sanctuary Currents Awards Reception, April 17, 2009 at the Hyatt Hotel in Monterey
  • Ed Ricketts Memorial Award and Lecture
  • Sanctuary Reflection Award for Science/Research
• Nominations were provided
• Erica will email all of the RAP providing nominations received, and requesting additional nominations and brief justification paragraph

Info Request: 2009 RAP Meeting Hosts and Locations (Erica Burton/ MBNMS)

• Erica passed around a sign-up sheet to host a 2009 RAP meeting
• She will follow-up with an email request and confirmation

SUGGESTED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Santa Cruz Visitors Center update by Lisa Uttal (schedule when NMFS is RAP host)
• SIMoN accomplishments or future plans, partnerships (per Curt Storlazzi)
• MARS cable (per Judith Kildow, schedule when MBARI hosts)
• Recent event: Supreme Court allows Navy Sonar (per John Hunt)

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)
• 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)