Chairman Jim Henry called the meeting to order and
introduced Mark Boland, Amber Himes, a Duke University
graduate student intern, and Michelle Duncan, a master's
degree candidate at Clemson University. Dr. Henry
reviewed the agenda. Minutes from the March 21, 2001,
SAC meeting were distributed as approved.
Status of Management Plan Development
Staff reported that the enforcement workshop would be
held on August 1. This will be the first time all
enforcement agencies (Georgia Department of Natural
Resources, U.S. Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries
Service, etc.) will meet. GA DNR
- recently signed a joint enforcement agreement
with NMFS. Following the workshop, staff will pull
together a draft of the
plan while closely coordinating with NOAA on the
format and content. Staff is shooting for completion of
draft by end of fall 2001. Becky Shortland noted that,
because a NOAA Administrator has not yet been appointed
under the Bush Administration, the
- plan approval process might be delayed
further.
Matt Gilligan arrived with news he had received
regarding the introduction of turkey fish and/or lion
fish&emdash;venomous, Pacific invader fish&emdash;in
Southeast waters. Joe Kimmel mentioned that he had heard
similar reports and that according to a video clip he
received, these species have been there several
years.
Jim Henry asked where Gray's Reef was relative to
other sanctuaries in the management planning process.
According to staff, Gray's Reef is among the first, with
Stellwagen Bank NMS and Channel Islands NMS on similar
schedules.
Staff mentioned that, although the NEPA process is
set, there was still a need to discuss a process for SAC
review of the draft plan.
Steve Booker (public attendee) asked if the SAC were
developing regulations for sports fishermen/divers. Reed
answered that
- such decisions will be part of the strategy. Mr.
Booker then
stated that, as a resident of Chatham County for 30
years, he
- would like to know what the SAC has in mind.
Reed Bohne answered that the Sanctuary held public
meetings and workshops
to gather information, and review recommendations
regarding
- the drafting of a new management plan. Mr. Booker
stated that he has been a diver for 30 years, and has
seen how rules come
up&emdash;like prohibiting powerheads&emdash;which put
limits on fishing,
- rather than on the method. He would like to
continue taking fish
by spear fishing. He stated that recreational
fishermen have a place in this world, and although
conservation is important, recreation is a legitimate
use. Reed Bohne reiterated that we
- were glad to have his comments.
-
Education and Outreach Strategies
Education Coordinator Cathy Sakas reviewed proposed
education strategies resulting from the workshops, noting
that all of the workshop results (habitat, species,
education, research and enforcement) will provide input
for the draft plan. Cathy
- described the process for synthesizing results
into categories
and establishing priorities, and then reviewed
proposed
- strategies for fishing impacts, marine debris,
formal education, serving minority populations, media
and outreach, diver impacts, the establishment of a
sanctuary foundation and awareness regarding anchoring
impacts.
Matt Gilligan emphasized the need to link research and
education and to take science directly to the people
quickly. The SAC discussed a variety of opportunities
and needs related to the proposed strategies including
coordination and alliances with
- other programs and organizations, the need for
additional
education staff, particularly to integrate research
and education. Reed suggested that the Sanctuary could
provide money to other programs that advance Gray's Reef
objectives&emdash;efficiencies may
- be found in working with other organizations that
would not entail adding staff.
Becky Shortland asked the SAC to provide feedback on
what the Sanctuary's priorities should be. The SAC will
provide input by email.
Research and Monitoring Strategies
Research Coordinator Greg McFall reviewed proposed
strategies
- for research and monitoring. He stated that he
was overwhelmed at the response from the
workshops&emdash;54 different strategies were
discussed, resulting in 56 pages of text. Strategies
were put into five categories (not in priority order)
in a logical, sequential flow. Greg also discussed
current research activities, such as the side-scan and
multibeam mapping completed during the Whiting cruise,
as well as research and funding needs.
Reed Bohne noted that we don't expect to complete or
address all the strategies in the next five years.
Led by Greg, the SAC discussed proposed strategies to
address needs related to trophic level investigations,
habitat characterization, data management, life history
of fishes, and
- long term monitoring. Doug Rader added that
recommendation that we expand, as possible, the scope
of research and monitoring on a regional basis to look
at habitat and ecosystem links.
Reed mentioned that the R/V Jane Yarn would be
auctioned off. He explained that the Sanctuary does not
have needs appropriate for that type of vessel and that
maintenance and liability costs are high. Funds will go
into marine operations.]
The SAC commended the staff and workshop participants
for their work on the strategies.
Proposed Gulf Stream MPA
Joe Kimmel noted that he had received an anonymous
document concerning an unofficial proposal for a "Gulf
Stream" marine protected area. Although there is no
endorsement or involvement by the National Marine
Sanctuaries Program, the concept has also been termed the
Gulf Stream National Marine Sanctuary. The SAC and Gray's
Reef staff discussed the concept, but agreed that no
action was needed.
Matt Gilligan asked if there should be a national
level advisory council to make recommendations on new
sanctuaries. SAC members also asked what process is used
to select new national marine sanctuaries. Becky
Shortland offered to bring that information to the SAC at
the next meeting.
Review of Side Scan and Multibeam Mapping
Results
Clark Alexander of the Skidaway Institute of
Oceanography presented the results of recent mapping
activities during the R/V Whiting cruise. He described
the methodology used, coverage, GIS compatibility and
capabilities, limitations, and applications for research.
Dr. Alexander is talking with the Georgia Department
- of Natural Resources about doing this kind of work
across Continental Shelf (swath bathymetry). Reed
noted that national security issues might limit
possibilities.
-
Status of South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
(SAFMC) Activities
Becky Shortland discussed SAFMC's consideration of
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). SAFMC identified 25+
areas off the
- coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
and Florida. A research-only area in Gray's Reef was
one MPA concept that was rejected by the SAFMC.
Instead, the concept was referred back to Gray's Reef
for consideration in revision of the management plan.
SAFMC will continue to work closely with Gray's Reef
as we consider the concept. Becky, Henry Ansley, Doug
Rader, and
George Sedberry will all be participating in SAFMC
advisory panel meetings to review the remaining MPA
considerations at the end
- of August.
-
Ocean Discovery Center
Reed reviewed activities that have taken place
regarding a concept plan for an Ocean Discovery Center in
or near Savannah. Meetings with local leaders took place
in January and March; Senate and Congressional support
letters came forth in April. Dan Basta
- wrote a letter calling for the establishment of a
working group to look at the concept plan, with
interpretative themes and regional scope, which would
be advanced to NOAA officials. The working group
would be established as a function of the SAC as
outlined in the Gray's Reef SAC Charter.
Reed reported that the Administration's proposal
includes $850,000 to go to Gray's Reef for this purpose.
House and Senate versions vary; it is unclear what the
conference version will be. Despite the uncertainty, we
should continue planning and development of a prospectus
for a center in this region.
The SAC will suggest individuals to serve on the
working group
- and will play key role in the concept development.
The SAC selected Matt Gilligan to chair the working
group. Reed stated
that each site is expected to develop a prospectus to
address any
- or all of elements in concept plan, but that the
plan should encompass a broader region. The next step
is for the SAC to work with Matt to assemble the
group. The SAC discussed criteria for group makeup
and agreed to include a broad base of representation
and look at potential partnerships (e.g., South
Carolina Aquarium).
The SAC requested that Matt Gilligan and Reed Bohne be
charged with selecting members of the working group. Jim
Henry asked
- the SAC to think about possible members, purpose
and concepts
and to make recommendations to Matt in the next two
weeks.
New Business
Cathy explained and provided the status of initiatives
under
- NOAA's "Voyages of Discovery". She noted that
exploratory data from these projects can be used in a
variety of applications and that information could be
provided to the public quickly, in real time in some
cases. The data can be used in educational efforts,
and the projects introduce technology in a way that is
interesting to the public. Cathy discussed Islands in
the Stream, which originated under Sustainable Seas
Expeditions, and Deep East. Cathy is also working
with Claire Johnson to develop a template for
education.
Becky led the SAC in a discussion of a possible SAC
retreat in
- late October or early November. The SAC agreed
that a retreat would be valuable, particularly in
reviewing the draft management plan.
Becky discussed the SAC Implementation Handbook, which
is being finalized and will be sent to the SAC.
Public Comment
The only public comment came from Steven Booker, who
spoke at the beginning of the meeting and then left.
The SAC discussed whether public comment should be
moved to
- the beginning of the agenda. Becky discussed
methods used at
other sites to invite the public. Options included
sending cards
- to persons on the mailing list and press releases
with stated
time for comment. The SAC directed staff to schedule
and advertise public comment times during SAC meetings at
the beginning and ending of SAC meetings.
Final Comments
Matt Gilligan will be representing Gray's Reef at an
upcoming marine protected areas conference at Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute. Joe Kimmel gave a brief
follow-up report on sightings
- of lionfish. Evidently, lionfish have been seen
off North Carolina, but there are no known sightings
off Georgia. All the NC sightings were aquarium
species that had been released.
- Next Meeting
The next meeting will be a retreat for SAC members and
staff.
- The week of October 22nd will be explored, and
members will be notified as soon as possible.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.