Sanctuary Currents 1996 Building Community Connections in Science, Education and Conservation General Info & Program Session Abstracts Ricketts Lecture MBNMS Awards Exhibitors Poster Abstracts & Awards

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Awards

In 1993, in celebration of the first anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a series of awards were presented to people and organizations who contributed significantly to the development of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through education, conservation, research, business, political, and public involvement. In subsequent years, awards have been presented to people and organizations that have greatly contributed to the implementation of programs geared towards meeting the goals of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

1995/1996 Awards

Public Official:	Congressman Sam Farr
Citizen:	BAYNET Volunteers, Sanctuary Stewards
Conservation:	Les Strnad
Education:	Dorris Welch
Science/Research:	Deborah Johnston
Organization:	Surfrider Foundation
Iron Man:	Dr. John Martin

Dr. John Martin Iron Man Award for the Advancement of Marine Science

Dr. John Martin first came to Monterey Bay as a young faculty member at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station, then later moved to the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Dr. Martin asked important questions about the age of oceanic waters, about organic composition of the deep sea, and especially about limitations of phytoplankton productivity by iron. Dr. Martin realized that iron limitation could be widespread in the polar and equatorial regions and that this could limit primary productivity and carbon fixation over large areas of the world's oceans. He had the imaginative idea that the extent of global warming could be decreased if one could fertilize barren ocean areas with iron, thus increasing CO2 fixation. This bold idea caught the imagination of the public as well as the scientific community and resulted in international acclaim as well as controversy.

John Martin's work as a citizen and administrator was also exemplary. As Director of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, he recruited top faculty and students and raised the funds and provided the spirit to make MLML into a world-class research and teaching institution. He also helped educate the public and policy makers about the importance of Monterey Bay and was a leader in the establishment of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. John Martin was an inspiration to all who knew him. His indomitable spirit and courage, along with his imaginative research on metals, make the designation of the "Iron Man" award an appropriate way to honor this remarkable person.

Past MBNMS Award Winners