Research Activity Panel: Meeting Minutes
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Friday, May 10, 1997
09:00 - 12:00

Introduction of members and guests (G. Cailliet)

Institution Representatives
	Greg Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs- Chair
	Andrew DeVogelaere, MBNMS- RAP Coordinator
	Jane Delay, MBNMS- SAC Coordinator

	Jane Caffrey, ESNERR and ESF
	Michael Field, USGS
	Chris Harrold, Monterey Bay Aquarium
	Randy Kochevar, Monterey Bay Aquarium
	Deborah Johnston, CA DFG/ Monterey
	Rikk Kvitek, CSUMB
	Dennis Powers, Hopkins Marine Station
	Jennifer Nielsen, Hopkins Marine Station
	Leslie Rosenfeld, Naval Postgraduate School
	Mark Stephenson, CDFG/Mar. Pollution Studies Lab
	Karen Worcester, Regional Water Quality Control Board; Morro Bay Foundation
 At-Large
	Caroline Pomeroy, UCSC/CSUMB
	Les Strnad, CA Coastal Commission
Guests
	Scott Benson, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
	James Brennan, Oregon Fish and Wildlife
	Bruce Heyer,  UCSC
	Michele Jacobi, MBNMS
	Aaron King, MBNMS
	Steve Webster, Monterey Bay Aquarium/Sanctuary Advisory Council

CONSENT ITEMS:

Modifications to the agenda (G. Cailliet)

Two short Information items were added to the Agenda:

1) Essential fish habitat studies and recent NMFS grants; and
2)Announcements by Jane Caffrey about events at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine 
Research Reserve.

Approval of the minutes for April 1997 (G. Cailliet)

The draft minutes from the April 11, 1997 meeting were approved as amended.

PRESENTATIONS

Overview of activities at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (C. Harrold)

Chris Harrold presented an overview of Monterey Bay Aquariums three main research 
efforts : 1) the Tuna Research and Conservation Program , a joint collaborative effort with 
Hopkins Marine Station; 2) the Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program which 
consists of exhibits, rescuing stranded animals, and a focus on research.  The MBA 
recognizes the opportunities associated with working on such a well known/ loved 
organism and how their facilities are ideal for needed research on basic otter biology; and 3) 
deep sea research for developing new exhibits -- the plan is to open a special exhibit on the 
deep sea in March 1999.  The focus will be on live deep sea species.  Part of the special 
exhibit will be to assess how visitors respond to the deep sea exhibits and how well 
Aquarium staff is gauging visitor expectations.

1996 Marine Bird and Mammal Surveys in Monterey Bay (S. Benson)

Scott Benson/ Jim Harvey provided a written and verbal report on the distribution of 
marine birds and mammals in the Monterey Bay.  These patterns will be correlated with 
seafloor topography and the distribution of prey patches.  The project was funded by 
MBNMS.

Update on ATOC experiments (D. Costa) [tentative item]

The ATOC update has been postponed until the July meeting.

DISCUSSIONS

Great American Fish Count (A. De Vogelaere)

Andrew De Vogeleare provided some background information about the Great American 
Fish Count.  Andrew described the program as the seaward version of the National 
Audubon Societys Christmas bird count -- where birders around the nation count what 
they see, at the same time period, across the nation.  Gary Davis, with the National Park 
Service, has worked to institute a similar program for the ocean using volunteer divers.  
The goals of the Fish Count are to teach volunteers to identify and record data on specific 
fish species.  It is hoped that the information will then be used to assess the health of the 
fish populations.  The Great American Fish Count has expanded from a statewide effort in 
California, to a national activity, with several major institutions and agencies, such as the 
National Marine Sanctuary Program, contributing financial support.

Kip Evans, MBNMS and WQPP Education specialist, received a protocol for teaching 
volunteers how to identify fish and collect samples.  He has requested that RAP members 
review the document and provide comments 

RAP members Chris Harrold, Rikk Kvitek and guest Bruce Heyer offered to review the 
protocol.  Andrew will also pass the protocol to George Boehlert and Mary Yoklavich for 
their review.  Rikk Kvitek suggested that there be a way to archive videos of the Fish 
Count, arguing that visual information would provided useful information about trends in 
fish populations.

LTER in the Monterey Bay region (G. Cailliet)

The National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program has 
announced a request for proposals.

After some debate, RAP members agreed that the Monterey Bay region would be an ideal 
location to implement focused studies concerning marine-terrestrial interactions, but 
decided that the NSF deadline did not allow adequate time to prepare a viable proposal.
 For the meantime, Rikk Kvitek informed the RAP that the SIVA Center at CSUMB will be 
developing a three-dimensional model to study land-sea interactions.  Once established, the 
Model could provide background for obtaining a future LTER grant.

Format and topics for the Sanctuary Currents Symposium (R. Starr/A. De
Vogelaere/C. Pomeroy)

RAP members discussed the Sanctuary Currents Symposium and made additions to their 
current list of suggestions, as found on Page 5 of the April 11, 1997 meeting minutes.  
RAP comments were as follows:
 Use the fishing exhibit from the Monterey Bay Aquarium as one way to demonstrate 
the cumulative impacts to the resources from human activities; 
 Create a video of the marine science institutions in the region.  The video would 
visually describe institutional projects and programs in a way easy for the general 
public to assimilate.  This could be used as a method for informing the general public 
about the importance of the work done by each of the institutions.  
 RAP members suggested that Sanctuary staff, namely, Kip Evans, could produce the 
videos with support from the film department and service learning institute at CSUMB.  
RAP members commented that this kind of approach to the poster session would help 
expose the public and students of all levels to the realm of marine science and excite 
them about the work and possibilities.    
 Invite Rick Starr to facilitate a workshop on how to generate a poster.  The workshop 
could take place in the habitat center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
 Capture public interest by offering a session on the science behind many of the events 
that were reported in the media throughout the past year.  For example: theories behind 
the big sardine die -off; the truth about rip currents or rip tides; and the sea lion invasion 
of the Coast Guard piers.
 Encourage people to produce posters both for display and electronic versions to use on 
the web page.  Rick Starr was suggested to assist in including this into the Sanctuary 
Currents program format.

The list of RAP suggestions will be forwarded to AMBAGs Symposium planning 
committee.

Monterey City Council decision on the proposed underwater park (S. 
Webster)

Steve Webster provided an update on the decision by the Monterey City Council regarding 
the proposed underwater park.

The City Council of Monterey voted 4-1 to establish the Edward F. Ricketts Underwater 
Park.  The Pacific Grove City Council will decide at a later date.  The Monterey City 
Council's final decision prohibits spear fishing and restricts the take of kelp to harvesters 
from the city of Monterey.  The decision allows hook and line fishing from shore and 
skiffs, squid fishing, and scientific/educational collection if necessary.  Necessary will 
be defined by an oversight committee.  The oversight committee will be comprised of about 
eight members -- a diver, a conservation person, a RAP member, a kayaker, a fisherman, 
and a few other interest groups.  The committee will monitor the park and will report back 
to the City Council in one year.  Who picks this committee is still not clear. The Pacific 
Grove City Council has yet to meet and there were some ideas for how the situation could 
be packaged in a more positive light.  Rikk Kvitek suggested that the results of the 
Monterey City Council decision might be a unique opportunity for the research community 
to learn valuable information about fishing impacts to the marine environment.  Rikk 
argued that if the underwater park could be divided into two sections -- one where fishing 
was allowed and one where it wasnt -- and if a monitoring program could be instituted, 
scientists should be able to compare the two sides and determine differences.  The RAP 
was responsive to Rikks ideas and agreed that this was an opportunity for the scientific 
community to respond constructively.  

Rikk emphasized that policy makers respond to visual images; therefore, any future 
presentations to the City Councils should include something to that effect.  Video footage 
taken from Hopkins Marine Station, a protected area within the vicinity of the underwater 
park, compared with footage taken from outside the refuge might be an effective tool.

RAP members debated the outcome of the underwater park decision and the implications 
for the research community.  In essence, the RAP considered this issue as another example 
of the difficulties for integrating science into the general policy making process.  During the 
discussion, RAP members tried to pinpoint where they, as individual scientists, need to 
mobilize better to make sure that facts are considered.  The RAP also talked about the need 
to convey pertinent scientific information to City Council members and other politicians in a 
manner that doesnt alienate them, and how to do so more pro-actively rather than in 
response to a crisis.

The RAP decided on the following action:

1) To speak with Monterey City Councilwoman and SAC Representative, Ruth Vreeland, 
about RAP concerns and options as presented during this meeting;
2) To address a letter to the SAC expressing RAP sentiments that a monitoring program 
needs to be implemented that measures the efficacy of the proposed marine refuge 
including the effects of fishing, diving, etc.;
3) That a video be produced demonstrating the impacts of fishing.  The RAP suggested 
first contacting Nicole Crane for video footage from the Hopkins Marine Reserve and 
to call Michele Paddack for her charts and other visual materials on fish population 
characteristics from the Hopkins area.  Rikk volunteered his students from CSUMB to 
help gather footage.  Andrew agreed contact Nicole Crane.  Greg will present the 
material on behalf of the RAP to the Pacific Grove City Council.  

RAP interest in commenting on a general guidance document for dredging
projects in the Sanctuary's four harbors (A. De Vogelaere/P. Cotter)

Patrick Cotter, MBNMS Environmental Scientist, is preparing a general guidance 
document on dredging projects in the Sanctuarys four harbors.  The California Coastal 
Commission will be reviewing a draft of the document on June 11, 1997.  RAP members 
were asked and agreed to review the document and provide comments.

Annual working group barbecue (A. De Vogelaere)

The RAP decided in favor of inviting the Conservation Working Group and the Sanctuary 
Education Panel to its 1997 Annual barbecue.  A date, time, and location will be 
announced.

SHORT INFORMATION ITEMS

Verbal items:

Status on MBNMS Superintendent and Research positions (G. Cailliet)

Greg reported that he continues to lobby in favor of a GS position, rather than short term 
contracts for the Sanctuarys Research Coordinator position.  This is important for stability 
in research programs and would demonstrate the commitment of MBNMS to science based 
decision making.

The new MBNMS Superintendent, Carol Fairfield, will start in July.  She will be invited to 
attend a RAP meeting at her earliest convenience.

Status of proposed marine legislation (C. Pomeroy)

Carrie Pomeroy reported that there has been, and will continue to be, a lot of activity in 
Sacramento in terms of Coastal Bills being heard in Committee.  A number of Bills relate to 
water quality, fisheries, watershed management, and mussel watch issues throughout the 
State.  With respect to Assemblyman Keeleys Bills which the RAP heard about and 
provided input, AB1000 was amended and referred to another Committee -- it will be voted 
on in the November 1998 election, and Bill 1241 has been put over as a two year Bill, 
meaning that there will not be definitive action taken on it this year.

Carrie has been invited to participate on the Legislative Task Force of the Sanctuary 
Advisory Council.  Members of the Task Force include: Steve Webster (SAC At-Large 
Representative) who will serve as Chair; Rachel Saunders (SAC Conservation 
Representative); Tami Grove (SAC Coastal Commission Representative); Dave Danbom 
(SAC Fishing Representative); Brain Baird (SAC California Resources Agency 
Representative); and Ann Notthoff ( Senior Planner for the Natural Resources Defense 
Council in San Francisco).  The Task Force will have its first meeting on June 5, 1997. 

Carrie will provide a more detailed report to the RAP at its July meeting.

ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA:

National Marine Fisheries Services Grants (A. DeVogelaere)

Carol Murray, from the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle, Washington, visited 
the Monterey Bay region.  She has two large grants to study essential fish habitats and 
wants suggestions on how to use the funds.

RAP members suggested that she be invited to attend a RAP meeting and be given
time on the agenda to describe the funding opportunities in more detail.  A
written description of the funding opportunities should be requested in the
event that she is unable to attend an upcoming RAP meeting.

Elkhorn Slough Updates (J. Caffrey)

Jane Caffrey had two announcements regarding ESNERR/ ESF:

1)The Mothers Day Event will be on Sunday, May 11, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM -- all are 
invited.

2) The ESNERR/ ESF 8-year water quality monitoring program is in danger of losing 
substantial financial support from Monterey County. Monterey is considering ways to 
lower expenses and may reduce the amount of support to the Sloughs monitoring 
program.  The reduction of funds would be significant enough to damage the integrity of 
the long-term water quality database.  Jane Caffrey and Mark Silberstein are requesting 
letters and developing fact sheets about the program to enlist some support.

RAP members agreed to send a letter of support once they receive more information about 
how the data is being used.  Greg and Andrew will circulate a report on the Sloughs 
program and solicit comments from RAP members.  Based upon the comments received, a 
letter from the RAP will be generated.

Introduction of Karen Worcester, new Regional Water Quality Monitoring 
Coordinator

Karen Worcester was introduced to the RAP in her new capacity as the Regional Water 
Quality Monitoring Coordinator.  She informed the RAP that her first priority in her new 
position will be to compile all available information and then determine what needs to be 
done from there.  Karen admitted that data management would be a challenge and she will 
be searching for an appropriate data repository.  Shes planning on putting together a 
technical advisory group to start prioritizing some of the water quality issues. 

WRITTEN ITEMS (no discussion unless there are questions):

Discussion and Review of Man-Made Sound in the Sea, with a focus on the
proposed Navy surveillance operation (A. De Vogelaere)

Michele Jacobi and Dan Costa are compiling a bibliography on the topic.

Discussion and Review of several Aquaculture Proposals (A. De Vogelaere)

Comments from the RAP members have been received and are being compiled and 
forwarded to the California Coastal Commission.

Feedback on the Light in the Deep Sea Report (R. Kochevar)

Send e-mails directly to Randy Kochevar.

NMS Research Reports, see handout (A. De Vogelaere/J. Roletto) 
-- See handout.

Summary of the SAC meeting (G. Cailliet)

The SAC has not met since the last RAP meeting.

Permit Report (S. Kathey) -- See handout

McArthur (A. De Vogelaere)

Mellie Lewis has been selected as the NOAA Teacher-At-Sea.  She is from Atholton 
Elementary School in Columbia, Maryland.

Swath-mapping images were presented at UC Santa Cruz on May 7 
(M. Field)

The USGS has established a new effort in seafloor mapping to accurately map seafloor 
geology of the slope, shelf and shoreface. The information is being obtained for a variety 
of projects funded by the USGS and other agencies to determine bedrock geology, 
processes and products of sediment transport, character of biologic habitats, disposal sites, 
and geologic hazards. The heart of the system is the EM1000 high-resolution swath 
mapping system which produces very accurate depth information (vertical resolution of 30 
cm) as well as accurately located back-scatter information (similar to sidescan sonar).  The 
resulting information is processed in near-real time and can be viewed in hard copy or 
displayed and manipulated on a Silicon Graphics workstation. Jim Gardner is the lead 
scientist in this new mapping program.  Thus far we have obtained, in cooperation with 
Larry Mayer at University of New Bruswick and C&C Technologies in New Orleans, 
spectacular data sets from offshore Eureka (ONR study), Santa Monica Bay (USGS 
study), and in central San Francisco Bay (USGS/NOAA study), and southern Monterey 
Bay (USGS/Ft. Ord study).

NOAA Staff changes (press release)

Dr. Stan Wilson, assistant administrator for ocean and coastal zone management, will take 
on a new assignment to serve as senior advisor on ocean issues and as NOAA deputy chief 
scientist.  Specifically, he will lead NOAA's participation in organizing and implementing 
its objectives in support of the United Nations' 1998 Year of the Ocean.  Wilson will 
continue to serve as the U.S. delegate to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic 
Commission.

Dr. Nancy Foster, deputy assistant administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS), will assume the assistant administrator responsibilities for Ocean Services and 
Coastal Zone Management.  Foster's charge is to direct and implement the operational, 
structural and cultural organization changes necessary to strengthen NOAA's ocean and 
coastal programs.

Dr. David Evans, acting deputy assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service, will 
assume the responsibilities of deputy assistant administrator for NMFS.  Dr. Evans' 
scientific credentials and management expertise provide an excellent foundation to 
contribute to important fisheries management issues and linkages to broader coastal 
responsibilities.

Items for future meetings

 Review of the revised Sanctuary Scientific Research Plan;
 Update on the efforts to establish a Sea Camp in California modeled after NASAs 
Space Camp.  SEA GRANT is sponsoring a scoping workshop in November.
 
ADJOURN
Research Activity Panel Meeting 5/10/97		FINAL 

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