0900 meeting called to order

Present:
Joe Smith
Doreen Moser
Josh Churchman
Tom Lambert
Daniel Cohen
Bill McMillon
Dan Howard
Rowena Forest
Jennifer Stock
Anne Walton


Review Agenda - Carol Keiper


Motion:
Motion to approve September 2003 SAC meeting minutes
Doreen Moser motioned
Joe Smith seconded
All in favor

Motion:
Motion to approve December 2003 SAC meeting minutes
Doreen Moser motioned
Carol Keiper seconded
All in favor

Manager’s Report – Dan Howard

Dan discussed the Sanctuary’s budget for 2004 – commenting that it has been level funded for this year, and an internal team is working to outline the budgetary considerations.

GIS person has been hired part time through PRNS to assist CB with projects through April of this year.

Dan gave an update regarding the USGS MacArthur cruise which will April 1-8, 2004. this will include side scan work to map the bottom on and around Cordell Bank
Dan mentioned that the contract has been put-in for the Delta submersible cruise for Fall of 2004.

The Joint exhibit with PRNS / exhibits did not get funded – was a surprise to Sanctuary staff.
May still be able to produce something for a BVVC exhibit. Dan will bring it up next week at the managers meeting in DC.

15th anniversary update: Need to rethink this event now that the exhibit will not be unveiled. Will still create the historic exhibit at the Red Barn for the 15th anniversary.

Discussion followed regarding technicalities and procedures of the USGS cruise, as well as rockfish studies.

Public Comment Period – Carol Keiper
Dan Howard introduced Brady Philips, who is on a detail working with GFNMS. Brady explained his position and work with the MPR and Boundary issue/decision. Brady announced the public briefing regarding the northern boundary of GFNMS/MBNMS, which will be March 24 in Half Moon Bay 7-8:30 pm.

Summary of the Annual Advisory Council Chairs/Coordinators Meeting, and CB Lecture Series Update – Rowena Forest

Rowena reviewed the National SAC Chairs-Coordinators meeting which she attended in February, 2003 in Savannah, Georgia and at Grey’s Reef NMS facilities at Skidaway Island outside of Savannah.

Rowena reviewed the agenda, meeting presentations, information from NMSP headquarters, pertinent updates pertaining to CBNMS Advisory Council, and reviewed handouts and binder materials. CB and GFNMS will be hosting the 2005 meeting to be held in San Francisco and Olema.

Rowena summarized the first of the CBNMS 15th anniversary lectures, which was given by John Calambokidis at the Crissy Field Ed Center, on Feb 11, after the GFNMS Science Symposium. The schedule of presentations for the rest of the year was also reviewed. A request was made of the SAC to reach out to their constituency and the public at large to advertise Dan Howard’s upcoming presentation in Sebastopol.

Summary of the National Educators Meeting – Jenny Stock

Jenny reviewed the National Marine Sanctuary Program annual educators meeting, which took place in Hawaii last month. The meeting included a workshop for educators in Hawaii called the Dive Into Education workshop. Educators from all Sanctuaries presented at this workshop. This meeting included professional development training, education tools such as ROV models for students, site updates, website redesign issues, telepresence from Sanctuaries, budgeting and grants, and Ocean Literacy and ed standards.

Discussion and Questions for Jenny –
Jenny covered disappointment re cancellation of the signage/exhibits plan funding cancellation. Carol and SAC would like to write a letter in support of CB/BV exhibit.

Jenny explained reasons for cut of exhibits $$, and how it fell out. And possibilities for further funding.

Dan H will still find out about $$ and convey disappointment re fall-through at manager’s meeting next week. The SAC will compose a letter in support of this exhibit and funding to Dan Basta.

MOTION:
The SAC will write a letter supporting funding for Cordell Bank exhibit within the Bear Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Tom Lambert motioned
Josh Churchman seconded
All in favor
Doreen Moser outlined the letter to be composed with key points. All discussed this, and the importance of following through with this for public knowledge and support of the Sanctuary.

BREAK 11:00-11:15

Robert Schmeider did not show for his History of Cordell Bank presentation, so the SAC decided to move forward with the agenda.

SAC Member Updates
Approval of Joe Smith’s letterhead design

Motion:
Motion to approve final version of letterhead for use of the Cordell Bank Advisory Council.
Doreen motions
Dan Cohen seconds
All in favor.

Bill McMillon– Article in Press Democrat for marine and science specialized school program – students will be active in research projects/data collection. Hopefully incorporate NMS projects.

Doreen – Commented on the sea lion “Jimmy”, which was rehabilitated and released by the MMC. This brought much media attention and $$ for MMC.

Rick – offers the use of his boat for F&G or Sanctuary purposes. Bill may be interested in utilizing it for the high school biology project. Jenny expressed interest in using it for CB ed purposes. Dan Cohen suggests offering it to SAC members as a way to see the Sanctuary/a retreat activity. Jenny raised the possibility of coordination with the 15th anniversary for a boat trip.


JMPR Regulations – Anne Walton

Anne and Ruth Howell gave an overview of regulations and permitting for Cordell Bank NMS in relation to the new Management Plan.
Next in the process is to meet with management and lawyers to draft the regulations. This will then go through long process and will most likely be modified later.


Presentation of the Invasive Tunicate (sea squirt) spp Didemnum lahellei – Jarrett Byrnes

Jarrett covered this species’ occurrence within the NM Sanctuaries waters, and its natural history.

Questions and Discussions for Jarrett –
Anne – can they grow on the hulls of boats?
Jarrett - Yes – especially if stationary
Joe- could imported oyster/shellfish being a vector?
Jarrett - A possibility
Strong El Nino may suppress or wipe it out
The group asked if there are any plans to harvest or remove it?
Jarertt – No, not enough known yet about it to develop a removal plan.


Introduction to the Marine Invasive spp Database –Jarrett Byrnes
Jarrett outlined: the need for the National Invasive Species database, info in the database, and potential uses of the database

Questions and Discussion for Jarrett
Dan – for CB start with research to find out what possible invasive species are in the Sanctuary. Review submersible tapes to identify if Didemnum lahellei is present.


Adjourned 2:00 pm