0900 meeting called to order

Present:
Tom Lambert
Carol Keiper
Joe Smith
Doreen Moser
Brian Mulvey
Bill McMilllon
Josh Churchman
Richard Powers
Dan Howard
Rowena Forest

Motion:
To approve February meeting minutes
Doreen motioned
Josh seconded
All in favor

SAC Member Updates
Josh commented on presence of Vellela vellela on most West Marin beaches.

Tom discussed his participation in the American Institute for Fisheries Research Biologists meeting last week. Some of the highlights included aging studies on selected rockfish spp showing some species to be long-lived, and in one case as old as 100-200 years. Carbon 14 dating (using radio isotopes to measure radiation levels from fallout from nuclear bomb testing in the Pacific, which became markers when assimilated into the tissue of the rockfish’s calcium otoliths) was used to determine the age of the fish.

Carol discussed the recent Research Working Group meeting. There was a presentation by Larry Beaker from Moss Landing Marine laboratory highlighting the unique position of Cordell Bank in the California Current system. Guy Cochrane from USGS also presented data from his benthic habitat work using side scan sonar, and summarized activities in the Cordell Bank area. Carol also mentioned that the 2002 CBNMS Advisory Council Report had been presented by Mary Jane Schramm at the Annual Coordinators and Chairs Meeting in Santa Barbara, February, 2003. Carol made available the final draft of the letter written in support of Ed Ueber to the Council.

SAC Member Discussions
Doreen led a discussion regarding the delegation of SAC letter-writing responsibilities.

Motion
It was decided that in the future the person to write the first draft of a letter would be the SAC representative with expertise in the subject area. For example, if the letter pertained to a conservation issue then the person in the Conservation seat on the SAC would write the initial draft of the letter. If the primary representative is gone for an extended period, the alternate would inherit the letter writing responsibility.
Doreen motioned
Josh seconded
All in favor

Member Discussion Contnd.
Joe presented three letter-head options for the CBNMS Advisory Council. Suggestions were made to add the SAC website and phone number to the letter head, and to change the logo to an image of an albatross.

Motion
To consider the format of the letterhead for the CB SAC, listing the member names with the Chair identified, and the website address and phone number listed. And to review alternatives for the logo at next meeting’s presentation.


Carol motioned
Tom seconded
All in Favor

Managers Report – Dan Howard
Dan Howard addressed the issue of Brian Mulvey’s seat on the SAC as government, and the desire to change the position to Conservation.

Dan mentioned the MPR progress, and the SAC member’s participation on the CBNMS Management Plan Review Working Groups. It was mentioned that the meetings were scheduled to be done late May/early June this year, and the Action Plans will be formulated after that.

Dan discussed Cordell Bank’s Annual Operating Plan.

An internal cross-cutting Working Group is discussing the Sanctuary boundary between the Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay Sanctuaries. The working group would like to invite one SAC member from each site to be present at the boundary meetings as an observer. Bill McMillon initially volunteered but realized that the times conflicted with his cross-cutting monitoring group so he had to decline. No one else volunteered due to time constraints.

Dan reported on the schedule for this year’s research cruises, and the need for a habitat mapping study to be done. It was mentioned that the California Academy of Sciences has many un-classified specimens and samples from Cordell Bank. Cordell Bank NMS has established a relationship with the academy through the working group process.


Break
10:07-10:30 a.m.


Report From the National Marine Sanctuary Program Director – Dan Basta

Dan Basta discussed the bio-geographic data currently out regarding CBNMS. He reported on his meeting with FMSA and GFNMS, and complimented the CB SAC on their work in the midst of the MPR process. Dan B. discussed the last three annual National Chairs and Coordinators meetings, and the detail/possible re-assignment of Ed Ueber. He noted that Cordell Bank will be administered independently of GFNMS, and the position of CB Sanctuary Manager will be advertised. Dan Basta complimented FMSA as an exemplary “Friends Group” within the National Sanctuary program, and he discussed the work of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Dan Basta discussed the importance of Sanctuary education programs, and budget issues affecting the NMSP. Dan Howard interjected that CB will be constructing new exhibits in partnership with GFNMS, at PRNS visitor center. Dan Basta finished by discussing the NMSP vessel program.


Update on Joint Management Plan Review Process – Anne Walton
Anne covered the progress of the Management Plan Review Working Groups which are working on CBNMS cross-cutting and site specific issues. Updates on the following CBNMS Working Groups were covered:
Resource Protection
Education
Research
Community Partnerships
Administration
Ecosystem Monitoring (cross cutting)
Maritime Heritage Resources (cc)
Community Outreach (cc)
Administration (cc)
Boundary (cc)


Anne also outlined the JMPR timeline, which outlines the progress of the management plan review and working group progress for Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

LIMPETS Workshop – Jenny Stock
Jenny covered the recent teacher/Marine Sanctuary Education workshop which CBNMS co-hosted. The workshop focused on student monitoring programs within the Sanctuaries. The workshop concluded with teacher feedback and analyzing future goals.

CBNMS Advisory Council Retreat – Rowena Forest
Rowena covered the tentative schedule and meeting topics of the upcoming SAC retreat, which will be held in July, 2003

Carol requested input from the SAC as to topics for the next scheduled SAC meeting in September. She suggested Rowena address the case studies the other Advisory Councils presented at the national-annual meeting in February. Dan Howard offered to present an update of the Delta research cruises, which will occur this year.

Adjourn 2:25 p.m.