MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

Friday, April 26, 1996
Point Montara Lighthouse
16th Street/Highway One
Montara, CA

AGENDA


10:00	Coffee and Sign In


10:15	Call to Order, Roll Call, Approval of January 26 and March 1, 
	1996 Meeting Minutes

10:30	Public Comments on Items Not on the Agenda

10:45	Election of New Officers: Chair and Secretary

11:00	Discussion: Kelp Harvesting in the MBNMS: Practices and 
	Impacts -- 
 	- Dale Glantz, KELCO
 	- Michelle Knight, Adventures-by-the-Sea
	 - Deborah Johnston, CDFG
	 - Local Harvesters

11:45	Update: Research in the Fort Ord Former Restricted Zone 

12:00	MBNMS: Management of the Northern Region

12:30	Lunch

1:30	Sanctuary Manger's Report:
	  - Issues: Jade Cove, Shark Chumming, Enforcement
	  - Update: SMWP, License Plate Program

  2:00	Working Group Reports: - Conservation
                                                     - Education
                                                     - Research 

  2:30	Adjourn to Field Trip

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY 

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes

Friday, April 26, 1996
Pt. Montara Lighthouse
16th Street/Highway One
Montara, CA

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council met at the Pt. Montara 
Lighthouse in Montara, CA from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 1996.  
Members in attendance and constituting a quorum were as indicated:

AMBAG:  Katherine Beiers			U.S. Coast Guard:  Dean Lee
Diving:  Ed Cooper				Ports/Harbors:  Joe Townsend
Recreation:  Thomas LaHue			At-Large:  Steve Webster
At-Large:  Karin Strasser Kauffman		At-Large:  David Iverson
Education:  Dorris Welch			Conservation:  Rachel Saunders
Research:  Greg Cailliet			CA Resources Agency:  Brian Baird
Business & Industry:  Steve Abbott		Tourism:  Not Represented
Fishing:  Not Represented			Agriculture:  Not Represented
NOAA/NMFS:  Not Represented		CA EPA:  Not Represented
US EPA:  Vacant
CA Coastal Commission:  Les Strnad (Official Alternate)

Non-voting members present were as indicated:

MBNMS:  Terry Jackson			GF/CBNMS:  Ed Ueber
ESNERR:  Not Represented			CINMS:  Not Represented

I.	CALL TO ORDER, APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING 
	MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:25 a.m.  

The Advisory Council and members of the audience were welcomed by the newest member 
of the Council and resident of Half Moon Bay, Mr. David Iverson.

The Chair recognized Dean Lee (U.S. Coast Guard Representative), who introduced 
Captain Terry Hart, from the United States Coast Guard-Group San Francisco, as a special 
guest.  Budget adjustments to streamline administrative functions for the Coast Guard have 
made it necessary for Captain Hart to assume responsibility as the operational commander 
for the entire Central California Coast.  Dean Lee will remain in Monterey Bay, but will 
focus more on operational functions of a Coast Guard Station rather than the administrative 
duties required by a Group.  Captain Hart assured the Council that the change would not 
have an adverse effect on the emergency and response capabilities of the Coast Guard in the 
MBNMS.

The DRAFT minutes for the January 26, 1996 and the March 1, 1996 meetings were 
approved as presented. 

The Chair reminded Council members of the Protocol Workshop scheduled for Friday, 
May 31.
 
A motion to add to the meeting's agenda the swearing-in of David Iverson as the new At-
Large Representative was seconded and passed unanimously.  Terry Jackson (Manager, 
MBNMS) presided as David read the oath aloud and agreed to uphold the responsibilities 
and privileges of the Advisory Council.  David is a dedicated supporter of the Sanctuary 
and an active member of the Council's Conservation Working Group.  Council members 
applauded David's selection and described him as an honorable individual with a 
constituency that he speaks well for.  As a resident of Half Moon Bay, David brings a 
respected and distinguished representation of the northern sector to the Advisory Council.  

A motion to switch the order of the agenda and have the Northern Boundary discussion 
before the update on research activities in the Fort Ord former restricted zone was seconded 
and passed.

II.	PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Public comments on items not on the agenda were limited to two-minutes each by the 
Chair. 

1) Zeke Grader, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA), 
requested that the Advisory Council schedule a discussion of fishing interests in the 
Sanctuary on a future agenda.

2) Wayne Lougee, representing personal watercraft users, announced that users and 
industry representatives are trying to form an ambassador program for regulating the use of 
jet skis in the Sanctuary.  There will be a meeting of the users and industry representatives 
on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. in Santa Cruz.

4) Chris Stolag, Montara Sewer District, reported that plans to expand the Sewer Authority 
Mid-Coast (SAM) had received the necessary financing.  Construction will begin in July 
and is expected to be finished in 1988. 

5) Frank Lee, Harbor District Commissioner, needs to hear from the Advisory Council 
about Abalone Farming and its impacts on kelp.

III.	ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

Karin Strasser Kauffman was re-elected as Chair by a unanimous vote of the Council.  
Karin expressed her appreciation for the Council's vote of confidence and promised to do 
her best to honor it.

Steve Abbott thanked the Council for his year of service as the Secretary, but declined to 
run for re-election.  David Iverson was nominated and unanimously elected to fill the 
position. 

The Chair complemented Steve Abbott for his service as Secretary and welcomed David 
Iverson in his new capacity.

IV.	DISCUSSION: KELP HARVESTING IN THE MBNMS: PRACTICES 
	AND IMPACTS

In recent months, kelp harvesting in Monterey Bay has become somewhat controversial in 
that conflict has arisen among those who depend upon the resource for their livelihood.  
Efforts by concerned individuals have brought the stakeholders together to develop self-
regulating policies that will both sustain the resource and meet economic needs.  

Although the MBNMS has jurisdiction over the kelp beds, regulatory authority for kelp 
harvesting resides with the California Department of Fish and Game.  The issue remains 
one of concern for the area.  As yet, not enough is known about the natural growth and 
change of kelp beds; therefore, the scientific community is unable to determine at this time 
whether or not the increased kelp harvesting in Monterey Bay this past winter had an 
adverse effect on the resource or associated species and communities.  Advisory Council 
members were cautioned that policy decisions about kelp harvesting practices should not be 
made solely based upon non-scientific diver observations.  There are many variables such 
as weather and other natural considerations that determine the size and characteristics of 
kelp beds on a year-to-year basis.  Concern was also expressed about short-term economic 
impacts from removal of kelp on recreational users and businesses.

Council members agreed that regular aerial surveys of the kelp beds are necessary to 
document the long-term trends.  Unfortunately, an aerial survey of Monterey Bay's kelp 
beds hasn't been done since 1983, and the resources to change this state of affairs aren't 
readily available from the State.  Council members suggested that an arrangement might be 
brokered with the NutraSweet Kelco Company, whose representative, Mr. Dale Glantz, 
Manager, Harvesting Marine Resources and Sea Soil, informed the group that his company 
conducts diving and aerial surveys of California's kelp beds on a regular basis.

In response to public requests that the Advisory Council inquire more about the kelp 
harvesting issue, Council members heard presentations from the following individuals:

1) Debra Johnston, Environmental Specialist for the California Department 
of Fish and Game (CDFG), briefed Council members on the State's regulations 
governing kelp harvesting.  A copy of the main points raised in her report are attached. 
(See Attachment).  Currently, the Department does not have the resources to monitor kelp 
harvesting practices in the Monterey Bay.

2) Dale Glantz, Manager, Harvesting Marine Resources and Sea Soil, 
NutraSweet Kelp Company, provided a slide presentation briefly describing the 
history of kelp harvesting in California, basic kelp biology, and standard kelp harvesting 
practices employed by the NutraSweet Kelco Company.  Mr. Glantz is responsible for 
protecting and managing the resource so that the Kelco Company is ensured a sustainable 
harvest every year.  He mentioned that the State's regulations do protect the resource when 
properly followed.

With respect to kelp biology, Mr. Glantz indicated that removing the surface of the canopy 
doesn't harm the plant.  Kelp can grow as much as two-feet per day and lives for about 4-7 
years.  Individual fronds of kelp live for only six-months and then sluff off.  It is possible 
to harvest the same kelp bed year after year without harming the resource and in some 
beds, the Kelco Company is able to harvest two and three times in a given year.  However, 
should there be a situation where the kelp is showing signs of stress for whatever reasons, 
the Kelco Company will not harvest and has prepared for this eventuality by importing kelp 
from around the world; Kelco Company could survive for up to one year without having to 
harvest any of California's kelp.    

3) Joe Cavanaugh, Owner, Monterey Abalone Company, described his business 
as a small company, whose yearly harvest has no negative impacts on the resource.  Mr. 
Cavanaugh suggested the need for a scientific study that documents what the sustainable 
level of harvesting for this area's kelp beds would be.  Mr. Cavanaugh is participating in 
the cooperative efforts to develop and implement resource management tools and supports 
solutions that promote self-regulation.

4) Dominic Grillo, Owner, Grillo Enterprises, has been harvesting kelp for 15 
years.  He hand picks only the highest quality kelp which he takes to San Francisco Bay 
and puts out for the Herring to lay their eggs on.  The product is then sold to the Japanese.  
Mr. Grillo only harvests during the months of December, January, February and 
sometimes March.  Because of the need to harvest by hand, Mr. Grillo must work out of a 
small skiff and, for safety reasons, cannot go outside the Bay.  He is also working with 
other users of kelp in developing cooperative solutions. 

5) Peter Scrivani, Pacific Mariculture, normally harvests on a larger scale outside of 
Monterey Bay. This winter, Pacific Mariculture's boat broke, forcing them to come work 
in the kelp beds off of Cannery Row in Monterey.  Pacific Mariculture has met with local 
users and has agreed not to work in the Monterey Peninsula area again.  The company has 
taken the necessary precautions to keep their word.

6) Bill Williamson, Owner, California Kelp Company, supports local 
coordination efforts.

7) Nicole Crane, Diving Safety Officer, Hopkins Marine Station, discussed the 
importance of the canopy for the kelp community as a whole.  Among other uses, the 
canopy provides a habitat for juvenile rock fish and serves to dampen wave action for the 
rest of the kelp bed.  Moreover, harvesting can lead to increased frond growth and less 
hold fast/anchor growth.  

8) Michelle Knight, Owner, Adventures-by-the-Sea, spoke of her work 
spearheading the cooperative efforts among the local stakeholders in the area.  She raised 
the following concerns: 1) although the users are meeting, no mechanism to address the 
conflicts has been identified or instituted; 2) responsible kelp harvesting practices such as 
those mentioned by Dale Glantz are not being followed at the local level; and, 3) there isn't 
a formal structure in place that limits the size of kelp harvesting companies.

The Chair expressed the Advisory Council's gratitude to the speakers for 
their participation and the information they provided.  She encouraged them 
to continue to meet together regularly and formalize their local cooperative 
efforts.  The Council will schedule regular status reports on the local 
cooperative efforts to keep informed on the progress.

V.	MBNMS: MANAGEMENT OF THE NORTHERN REGION

Advisory Council members listened to comments from audience participants, reviewed 
correspondence from public citizens, and responded to a memorandum dated April 25, 
1996 from James Lawless, Acting Chief, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division.  In essence, 
the Sanctuary Advisory Council was asked to consider ways and means that would best 
facilitate coordination of management efforts between the GFNMS and the MBNMS for the 
territory north of the San Mateo County border.  


Sanctuary Advisory Council members recommended the following actions:

1) Terry Jackson and Ed Ueber were asked to work together to provide a list of issues, 
program priorities, problems, and some suggested solutions for the area in question.  The 
requested information, along with their recommendations for individuals to serve on the 
sub-committee, should be ready to present to the Sanctuary Advisory Council at its 
scheduled May 31, 1996 workshop on protocols.

2) That a special sub-committee be instituted to consider this matter in its entirety.  The sub-
committee should be composed of individuals, two each, selected by Ed Ueber and Terry 
Jackson, and supplemented by at least two to three persons selected by the Sanctuary 
Advisory Council.  

The purpose of the sub-committee would be to explore the best possible methods for 
dealing with current and potential future situations facing the MBNMS and to implement 
coordinated management strategies for the northern region based upon existing resources 
and priorities.  A report on the sub-committee's recommendations should be prepared and 
ready to submit to the Sanctuaries and Reserves Division and to the public by the 
November 22, 1996 Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting. 


Sanctuary Advisory Council members emphasized the importance of working together in 
this situation in order to maintain strong public and government support for the National 
Marine Sanctuary Program as a whole and the MBNMS and the GFNMS in particular.   


Due to the lengthy discussions on kelp harvesting and northern boundary management 
issues, the Chair announced that time restrictions required the presentation by Steve 
Eittreim, U.S. Geological Survey, to be postponed until the August meeting, and that, in 
lieu of oral reports, Council members would be sent copies of the Working Groups' most 
recent meeting minutes.   


The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,


Jane M. DeLay
MBNMS Advisory Council Coordinator

Attachments:	1) Meeting Agenda for Friday, April 26, 1996
		2) Description of Kelp Harvesting Regulations
		3) MBNMS Manager's Report