0905 meeting called to order

Present:
Daniel Cohen
Carol Keiper
Joe Smith
Doreen Moser
Brian Mulvey
Dan Howard
Rowena Forest
Jennifer Stock


It was discussed that due to low attendance a quorum was not present in order to conduct voting. A quorum is more than half the voting body. Voting/passing motions was put off until the next regular CBNMS Advisory Council meeting. (It was later found that the voting body was miscalculated at six members, but is only five – so a quorum was in fact present).

Manager’s Report – Dan Howard
Dan discussed the Continuing Resolution, which is now in effect until 1/31/03. Salaries and basic operation are permitted until then. Dick Gardner will be here for a tour of facilities and interpretive sites on December 10th. He will visit the PR lighthouse, other sites within PRNS, and sites in Bodega for potential interpretive facilities for CBNMS. A five year facilities and exhibit plan is being developed for CBNMS. Dan summarized the squid fisheries meeting in November, which was an emergency meeting of the CB Ecosystem Protection Working Group.

The Council members raised questions about this meeting and squid fishery regulations, which Anne Walton and Dan H. answered to the best of their knowledge.

Dan discussed his position on the interviewing panel for the new GFNMS Manager’s position. Interviews will be conducted this week. Dan will be attending the joint SAC/public informational meeting with MSP staff regarding the boundary issue between MBNMS and GFNMS. The meeting will be held Thursday in Half Moon Bay, and all SAC members are invited. Dan will deliver a summary of this meeting to Rowena who will get it to the SAC members before the next regular SAC meeting (via email).


Public Comment Period
Bob Schmeider spoke of his experiences diving on Cordell Bank in the past and his public outreach work regarding CBNMS. Bob commented that he is very happy with how CBNMS has developed since its designation 15 years ago, and would like to offer his help and the services of his boat, the Cordell Explorer, to the efforts of CBNMS staff and projects.

Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes
It was decided by the SAC members present that September ’03 and December ’03 meeting minutes will be reviewed and approved at the next regular SAC meeting, due to the absence of a voting quorum.

Presentation of 2002 and 2003 Delta Submersible Research Cruises – Dan Howard
Dan discussed survey techniques conducted during the 2002 and 2003 Delta Submersible research seasons. This included the use of a manned submersible to count, identify, and measure fish on Cordell Bank. Video footage taken during the submersible dives is later used to identify and assess percent cover of invertebrate species on the Bank, and to classify the habitat types of Cordell Bank.

Dan showed samples of this video footage, as well as footage of the research boat, equipment and Delta Submersible. Dan commented on weather, methodology, and species seen. Dale Roberts was introduced as the Chief Investigator of this project, and Research Coordinator for CBNMS. Dan then showed slides of preliminary analysis of the data, which Dale is working on. Data collection is conducted while running “track lines” along a predetermined grid of the Bank, in the submersible. Data will analyze species composition, and habitat characterization. Habitats are classified into seven types, and defined as primary and secondary.

The Advisory Council members asked Dan questions regarding habitat types on Cordell Bank, fishing debris, and other topics the existing data may be able to analyze.

Protocol for Arranging Emergency SAC Meetings
Carol read from the Advisory Council Implementation Handbook as to the guidelines for calling emergency SAC meetings. Discussion followed regarding communication and attendance of emergency meetings. Working groups and sub-committees as defined by the Charter were discussed in context of emergency meetings and the topics they would approach.

Joe Smith – Letterhead Presentation
Joe Smith handed-out the updated letterhead design for the CBNMS Advisory Council, with the changes as requested at the last SAC meeting. Rowena will distribute the new design to the absent SAC members, before the next meeting.

Break 10:55-11:15

Schedule All 2004 CB SAC Meeting Dates
Tentative dates were set for 2004 SAC meetings:
February 2 with Anne and Ruth – JMPR update
Thursday March 4th
Tuesday June 8th
Thursday September 23rd
Thursday December 2nd

SAC Member Updates
Doreen Moser will be at the Marine Mammal Conference with Carol in North Carolina December 14-December 19, 2003. Doreen also announced the GFNMS Research Workshop on February 11 at the Presidio, and the PRNSA Cordell Bank Field seminar, which will be a two day workshop next September. This is a marine mammal and seabird workshop with Rich Stallcup, Doreen Moser and Jenny Stock, which will take place in the classroom and on a field trip to Cordell Bank.

Brian Mulvey gave all present a handout regarding an invasive species of tunicate, which is found at George’s Bank off Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Comments Regarding the Reauthorization of the Marine Sanctuaries Act
Dan Howard reviewed the Reauthorization process, and public comment within this. Dan requested the Council review the Act and email all comments to him.

Announcements
Dan Howard announced the 15th anniversary of CB in 2004, and discussed possible celebration events in honor of this with the Council.

Lunch 12:20-1:05

Sanctuary Education Panel Presentation – Patricia Clark Grey
Pat Clark Gray is an interpretive ranger for the California State Parks System, sits on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary SAC, and is Chair of the MBNMS Education Panel.

Pat presented her experiences and the history and accomplishments of the MBNMS SEP with a power point presentation and with handouts to the SAC. This included the SEP roles within the MBNMS SAC, working with MBNMS staff, soliciting members for a SEP, learning partners of the SEP, and goals and projects of the MBNMS SEP.

Discussion of the Formation of Working Groups for CB – Dan Howard and Anne Walton
Dan and Anne outlined proposed working groups for CBNMS (including Education, Fishing Activities, and Research), description and intended tasks of these advisory panels/working groups, the process of forming these, and how the SAC and staff would contribute to this process.

Adjourn 3:15 pm