Research Activities Panel Meeting Summary July 2001

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

JULY 2001 RAP MEETING
Host: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Friday, July 13, 2001 9am-11:30am
Attendance: 15 RAP members, 7 guests

PRESENTATIONS

Integrated Observations for Process Studies in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Examples from MUSE (John Ryan)
John Ryan presented some of the data from MUSE (MBARI Upper-water-column Science Experiment). This experiment took place during August 2000. Twelve groups participated in the study using a variety of different platforms including aircraft instruments, AUVs, drifters, moorings, small vessels, and larger ships. Physical layers (salinity and temperature) and biological layers (phytoplankton densities and bioluminescence) were studied. Circulation was also studied during MUSE, specifically the canyon/shelf exchange, wind driven sediment transport, convergence, and eddies. John concluded that understanding the complex coastal ocean system is very important as well as very challenging, and that effective study is technology dependent. Moreover, collaborations across disciplines put what is usually independent work into a context that greatly enhances understanding of ecosystem function.

For more information please see http://www.mbari.org/MUSE

DISCUSSION

Ecosystem Observations &endash; Outline for next year (Liz Love)
Liz asked the RAP for ideas for the next issue of Ecosystem Observations. The time frame for the report is to have contributions submitted by the end of October for publication by the March 2002 Sanctuary Currents Symposium. Many ideas were brought up including: health of fish stocks in the Sanctuary, big events that have happened in the last 10 years, highlight on educational programs and student involvement, Shipwreck information, CO2 disposal issues, the gill net fishery closure, MPA process, PISCO results, Cable laying, Gray Whale population status, Sea Otter population status, Non-harmful algal blooms, ICON/SCOPE projects, LFA update, Duke mitigation projects, coastal erosion, history of underwater sampling techniques, BeachCOMBERS website, and lighthouses.

If there are any other suggestions please email them to Liz.Love@noaa.gov

Proposed CDFG MPAs (Erica Burton)
Erica presented the RAP with copies of a map of California Department of Fish and Game’s (CDFG) initial draft concepts for marine protected area (MPA) networks, within the MBNMS. As part of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), CDFG is required to develop a plan for establishing networks of MPAs in California waters to protect habitat and preserve ecosystem integrity, among other things. Erica presented the Sanctuary’s view of the proposed areas saying that the Sanctuary considers the draft proposal a good initial effort. The Sanctuary will ask CDFG to consider input from the reserve working group of the Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries. The Sanctuary suggests extending several marine reserves entirely through state waters, allowing several areas of complete protection of pelagic habitats and important pelagic prey species. The Sanctuary, along with the Alliance, is attempting to develop socioeconomic data on the value of fishing and other uses of marine resources. Good comments were made by the RAP about MPAs in general. There was concern among RAP members that there is a lack of scientific critera and rationale for selection of each MPA provided to the public. It was decided that all comments regarding MPAs should be sent to Rick Starr at starr@mlml.calstate.edu. Rick will gather everyone’s comments and present them to the RAP at the August meeting. It was suggested that Mary Yoklavich and Ralph Larson be invited to the next meeting.

For more information please see
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/concepts.html

Request from Conservation Working Group: Research Related to Marine Reserves (Chris Harrold)
Chris presented the RAP with a letter from the Conservation Working Group. The CWG is looking for help from the RAP to answer some research questions related to conservation implications of Marine Reserves. After a discussion about the broad topics of the questions it was decided that a subcommittee would form to answer the questions and provide more information to the CWG. Greg Cailliet will head the committee along with Rick Starr, Andrew DeVogelaere, and Erica Burton. Mary Yoklavich and Ralph Larson will also be asked to join.

INFORMATION ITEMS

SAC Update (Chris Harrold)
The SAC is requesting that the RAP outline research priorities for the next five years. It is possible that the SAC will request that the RAP attend the October 5th meeting to share their views.

"Least wanted" invasive species (Kerstin Wasson)
Invasive species are the second biggest threat to biodiversity. Elkhorn Slough has come up with a booklet describing the 20 "least wanted" invasive species. The purpose of this booklet is to develop a reporting system for early detection of any invasive species. They are looking for partners to help develop a second edition and to distribute it to the general public. Kerstin might look to the RAP in the future for a letter to Fish and Game about the issue of holding a fishing license when collecting a new invasive species.

At the end of the meeting John Ryan and Annette Gough took the group over to the newly completed Building B to view the new 35ft deep test tank. The tank will be used mainly to test autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).