Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas

A juvenile rockfish shelters in rock among plume anemones and gorgonians in Monterey Bay

As part of its' ecosystem based management approach, MBNMS is currently working with many partners to establish Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas (SESAs). These special areas encompass remarkable, representative and/or sensitive marine habitats, communities and ecological processes. They will be focal areas for facilitating research to better understand natural and human-caused variation. SESAs are not currently part of the MBNMS regulatory regime, yet may be used as a resource management tool.

SESAs are primarily located in offshore Federal waters, including portions of MBNMS to the west of state waters, and the Davidson Seamount Management Zone. As the SESA process develops, the focus on benthic habitats (the seafloor) may expand to include pelagic habitats (the water column).

How is the Sanctuary Involved?

SESAs are being identified to increase our understanding of communities and processes in focal areas, as well as for resource protection. We are identifying these areas by gathering the best available data, including spatial data highlighting remarkable, representative and sensitive habitats. SESAs will support the following management needs:

1. Detailed information on focal areas improves our ability to adaptively manage these important resources, and serve as test cases for other areas within MBNMS.  This information also prepares staff for engaging on upcoming management processes such as the NMFS 5-yr Review of Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat, as well as anticipating future potential issues including offshore energy development, offshore aquaculture, oil spills, shipping lanes, noise or climate change.
2. Targeting research and monitoring efforts in focal areas and coordinating with the scientific community. Findings from focal areas may be extrapolated to other areas within MBNMS, guiding future management decisions and policy.
3. Applied spatial management tools (such as SESAs) are needed to effectively measure and evaluate protection levels in high value habitat in preparation for the upcoming management plan review process.

In order to identify SESAs, MBNMS worked with the scientists, fishermen, conservation NGOs, and other agencies to collect and evaluate over 150 layers of Geographic Information System (GIS) data. Primary and secondary criteria were identified to select areas that address multiple objectives. Primary criteria include benthic habitat identified by depth zones, substrate type, benthic structure-forming invertebrates (e.g., deep-sea corals and sponges) and locations where visual or research data have been collected. Secondary criteria include upwelling hotspots, visual imagery, stakeholder input and existing management connections. The selection process consisted of the following steps:

1. Defined SESAs and their primary objectives.
2. Compiled and synthesized the best available information.
3. Selected primary and secondary criteria, and modified based on stakeholder input. Primary criteria focused on benthic resources and/or scientific research and are directly related to the SESA definition and objectives. Secondary criteria focused on persistent pelagic features or processes, spatial management, and benthic impacts and were used to refine SESA boundaries because they influence the ecology and/or management in these areas.
4. Identified draft SESA locations using input from staff and stakeholders; requested input on missing data or information, created draft SESA map and circulated to stakeholders.
5. Launched public GIS on-line map, an outreach tool for the Sanctuary Advisory Council and others
6. Finalize SESAs.

Figure 1 – Map of Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas (click on image to enlarge)

REPORTS

• 2016

  • Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas (SESAs) Quick Look Reports