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Home , Davidson Seamount, Ed Ricketts

2018 Accomplishments

Brooding Deep-sea Octopuses Discovered Proposed Essential In October, staff joined Ocean Exploration Trust and Modifications Accepted the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries aboard The Pacific Management Council (PFMC) the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus for a deep-sea issued a final decision to accept all 15 proposed expedition to Davidson Management boundary modifications to Essential Fish Habitat Zone. Using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Conservation Areas (EFH CAs) where groundfish to survey depths up to 3,600 meters, scientists bottom trawl gear is prohibited west coast wide. collected biological and geological samples, and During the PFMC’s 5-year review process, staff revealed a rarely-seen “Dumbo” octopus. Scientists lead a Collaborative proposal also discovered huge aggregations of over 1,000 submitted in 2013 to modify EFH CAs trawl brooding deep-sea octopuses aligned near rock boundaries within the sanctuary. The proposal fissures with shimmering seawater, typically associ- uniquely considered new protections for EFH CAs Sanctuary staff present 2018 Volunteer Service Award. ated with fluid seeps caused by temperature, from impacts, coupled with opportunities hydrocarbons (methane), or salinity differences in for fishermen to access valuable grounds Outstanding Volunteer Service Award the surrounding water. This phenomenon has only by opening portions that are less environmen- Scott Benson and Karin Forney received MBNMS’ been observed in one other location worldwide, tally sensitive. The MBNMS proposal served as 2018 Volunteer Service Award for their contribu- and was the largest cluster of brooding deep-sea a model for the Coastwide Collaborative, and tions to the Beach COMBERS program. Scott octopuses ever discovered. included Monterey Bay trawl fishermen, City of developed the training course and methods for Monterey, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Beach COMBERS in 1997 with significant Council, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature science and agency application advice from Karin. Conservancy, CA Groundfish Collective, and They have been monitoring the same three mile Environmental Defense Fund. stretch of beach, monthly for 21 years, document- ing beach cast birds and marine mammals. Both Team OCEAN on the Water Engagement Scott and Karin show a dedication to MBNMS Team OCEAN program puts trained volunteer and regularly contribute to annual volunteer naturalists in sanctuary kayaks to act as on-the- appreciation and training events, sharing their water interpretive docents to promote respectful scientific insights. Beach COMBERS program has wildlife viewing guidelines. Coastal wildlife, such resulted in 185 volunteers contributing to more as shorebirds, seals, and sea otters, are impacted than 31,000 hours, and is a collaboration among by increasing numbers of ocean recreational MBNMS, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, U.S. Brooding deep-sea octopuses (Muusoctopus robustus). kayakers. In 2018, volunteers donated 774 hours Fish and Wildlife Service, CA Department of Fish and engaged 9,003 people on the water in Elkhorn and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, and Save E/V Nautilus Live Interactions Slough in Moss Landing and off in The Earth. In support of the E/V Nautilus expedition to David- Monterey. Since 2000, Team OCEAN volunteers son Seamount Management Zone, staff offered have educated more than 100,000 people. The Recreation and Tourism Initiatives education programs to highlight the science and program’s unique blend of interpretive enforcement Staff joined with local partners in the Monterey exploration taking place. Sanctuary Exploration has been recognized as a model program in the Bay Eco-tourism Region Initiative, which brings Center hosted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) National Marine Sanctuary System. together policy makers, public officials, hospitality building, viewed the E/V Nautilus real-time ROV leaders, and recreation, tourism, and wellness video feed, and engaged with scientists aboard providers. This Initiative focuses on developing during live ship-to-shore interactions. Staff visited key sustainability best practices that promote school classrooms and presented activities about Monterey Bay peninsula as a world eco-tourism deep-sea environments. Over 200 students learned destination. MBNMS collaborated with CA State about ocean exploration, marine at the University Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Hospitality seamount, and conducted pressure experiments. Management Program to draft a sanctuary These activities served to inspire students to seek business recognition program, with the goal careers in science, technology, engineering, and to raise sanctuary awareness and encourage mathematics and become the next generation of sustainable green business practices that support ocean explorers. Team OCEAN interpretive docents in the sanctuary. a healthy ocean and a Blue Economy.

montereybay.noaa.gov New Sanctuaries MBON Research Tools Final EIR/EIS for New tools were developed by the Sanctuaries Water Supply Project Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) MBNMS and the CA Public Utilities Commission demonstration project team to investigate the released a jointly prepared Final Environmental relationships between the ocean environment Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement and animal communities of the sanctuary, and (EIR/EIS) for the Monterey Peninsula Water convey this information to a variety of users. Supply Project (MPWSP). The MPWSP includes Interactive infographics provide dynamic status various proposed facilities and improvements and trend information and data-driven storytelling including: a subsurface water intake system; Taking a sample of bubblegum for transplantation for resources managers, educators, and public a 9.6-million-gallons-per-day reverse osmosis experiments at Sur Ridge. (Image courtesy of MBARI) constituents of the sanctuaries. For science teams desalination plant; desalinated water storage and advisory groups that need additional detail Deep-sea Coral Transplants at Sur Ridge and conveyance facilities; and expanded Aquifer and technical capabilities, MBON is developing During a 2018 research cruise to Sur Ridge led Storage and Recovery facilities. The Final EIR/EIS curated data views and a data explorer. This suite by Research Institute identified Alternative 5a (a smaller desal project of tools, available through the MBON Data Portal, (MBARI), sanctuary scientists assessed the effec- and the Pure Water Monterey Groundwater improves access to observing data on critical tiveness of deep-sea coral transplant techniques. Replenishment Project) as the environmentally parameters for understanding biodiversity in the In addition, individual were studied for age, preferred alternative. Federal, state, and local sanctuary. growth, , and feeding mechanisms. agencies will use the Final EIR/EIS to consider The successful coral transplant techniques being related permits or other approvals. As federal lead developed over the past five years will be useful agency under National Environmental Policy Act, for wide ranging deep-sea restoration efforts. At MBNMS has the authority and responsibility to a larger scale, ocean currents were measured to ensure the project does not harm or have negative characterize this biologically diverse Sanctuary environmental impacts to sanctuary resources. Ecologically Significant Area (SESA) and to address spatial ecosystem management needs. Special Community Events at Sanctuary Exploration Center Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2018 was another successful year for offering Foundation public events at the Sanctuary Exploration Center A local Monterey Bay Chapter of the National (SEC), located in Santa Cruz. Events included film Marine Sanctuary Foundation was created to screenings, Waves and Wildlife photo exhibit, First Trained members of the whale disentanglement build awareness and raise funds for sanctuary Friday art events, and hosting the International network practice rescue techniques in the sanctuary. activities. In 2018, a Chapter director was hired Global Waves Conference. During World Oceans to focus fundraising efforts on supporting Bay Net Day, Leatherback Turtle Day, and Get Into Your and Team OCEAN programs for reducing ocean Sanctuary Day, attendees from all over the world Minimizing Whale Entanglement Incidents wildlife disturbance, and to support sanctuary gained a deeper understanding of the need to pro- CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership partners in whale rescue and disentanglement tect this special place. Events offered at the SEC, with NOAA National Marine Service and efforts. The Chapter will grow to serve as a model in partnership with other local businesses and the Ocean Protection Council, have collaboration between a public agency and a non- non-profit organizations, showcase collaborations prioritized addressing recent spikes in whale profit organization in the years to come. in ocean protection and conservation throughout entanglements occurring in California waters. In the region. response, a diverse stakeholder working group Expansion of Urban Watch to Salinas comprised of commercial and recreational Urban Watch is a dry weather monitoring program fishermen, environmental organization represen- conducted by trained volunteers to monitor storm tatives, members of the whale disentanglement drain outfalls. Volunteers use field kits to test network, and state and federal agency staff, set water samples for common pollutants such as up to address risk reduction for whale entangle- detergents, chlorine, orthophosphate, and indica- ments in Dungeness fishing gear. Strategies tor bacteria. Urban Watch engages local citizens included the development of a Risk Assessment to promote stewardship of urban watersheds while Framework and exploring gear modification such providing real-time data to city staff for tracking as ropeless technologies. MBNMS serves as the discharges into the storm drain system. The regional sanctuaries representative and engages program has been funded by the City of Pacific in collaborative efforts to reduce threats to Grove for over 20 years. In 2018, the program sanctuary resources and wildlife. expanded to the City of Salinas in three water- sheds with highly successful outcomes. Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz.

montereybay.noaa.gov 19th Annual Snapshot Day Snapshot Day was first held in 2000 when a small group of volunteers collected water samples from sanctuary watersheds to measure tempera- ture, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, conductivity, and for nitrate and bacteria testing. Fast forward to 2018 when 134 volunteers collected water samples and field measurements from 123 sites in four counties: San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Data collected during Snapshot Day is entered into the CA Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN) where it is available for state, local, and federal resource managers as well as the public. The Coastal Watershed Council and the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District also NOAA Fisheries Research Vessel Bell M. Shimada heading out to the Davidson Seamount Management Zone for partner with MBNMS to mark one of the longest, sanctuary researchers to conduct oceanographic and biological surveys. single-day water quality monitoring programs in California. Oceanographic and Biological Surveys Get Into Your Sanctuary above Davidson Seamount On July 29th, staff kicked off the 5th annual Get On board the NOAA Fisheries Research Vessel Into Your Sanctuary (GIYS) events by connecting Bell M. Shimada, sanctuary scientists teamed 30 military veterans to MBNMS aboard the NOAA with Point Blue Conservation Science and Applied Research Vessel Fulmar. Joined by Rep. Jimmy Marine Sciences to conduct regional characteriza- Panetta (CA-20), veterans experienced a day of tion and monitoring of ocean ecosystems at the wildlife watching, sampling, and listening Davidson Seamount Management Zone. Surveys to underwater sounds. On August 4th, the Coastal included plankton tows, midwater krill trawls, echo- Discovery Center and the Sanctuary Exploration sounder data collection, and Center hosted public events for GIYS to promote observations, sea surface collection of ocean recreation and responsible wildlife viewing. micro-plastics, and water sampling for persistent Staff hosted “virtual wildlife tour” presentations, organic pollutants and harmful algal blooms. equipment demonstrations, and distributed infor- Long-term data sets will help relate spatial patterns mation on local recreation providers in the area. of bird and mammal distribution with prey and The nation-wide GIYS campaign helps heighten oceanographic patterns, and identify resources at sanctuary awareness and the significance of risk from human threats. these special underwater places as recreational destinations. First Flush volunteers collect water samples at storm Healthy Soils Program drains that flow into the sanctuary. As part of the Healthy Soils Program, sanctuary staff implemented best practice workshops with 19th Annual First Flush 193 farmers and ranchers in Monterey County to First Flush utilizes trained volunteers to collect improve soil health and carbon sequestration on water samples at storm drain outfalls during the agricultural lands adjacent to the sanctuary. first major rainstorm of the winter season. In Adoption of the practices will remove an estimated 2018, 30 First Flush volunteers were mobilized 60 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmo- mid-morning on November 23rd, marking the sphere per year, putting it into long-term storage in latest First Flush event on record. Volunteers soils. This can produce other on-farm advantages were able to collect water samples at all 15 storm such as drought resistance, increased plant yields, drain outfall sites and two receiving water sites and less runoff. Storing carbon on agricultural that flow into the sanctuary. Data gathered for lands is one strategy to help remove CO2 from the First Flush is used by local storm water managers atmosphere, thereby benefiting marine ecosystems to understand and manage urban runoff water by potentially slowing ocean temperature increases quality while identifying watersheds that require and chemistry changes that can contribute to ocean Veterans join staff and Congressman Jimmy Panetta for further investigation or best management practice acidification. Get Into Your Sanctuary day aboard the R/V Fulmar. implementation.

montereybay.noaa.gov 10th Ocean Fair in San Simeon Partnership with National Forests In the sanctuary’s southern region, staff organized MBNMS joined the U.S. Forest Service’s Fall Fish the 10th Ocean Fair at the Coastal Discovery Fest in South Lake Tahoe to help build awareness Center in San Simeon, celebrating coastal and of land and sea connections. Located more than ocean resources with over 20 agency and non- 300 miles inland, the annual event hosted over profit partners. An estimated 600 attendees 5,000 attendees. Staff engaged with participants engaged in conservation activities, including to highlight national marine sanctuaries to inland interactive games and crafts. Participants built communities and the vital connections through remotely operated vehicles, learned proper fishing watersheds, climate, and wildlife. National marine and wildlife etiquette, and experienced rescued sanctuaries and national forests have many com- animals. Demonstrations were provided on oil mon management approaches, such as support- Volunteers educate thousands of sanctuary visitors. spill clean up techniques. With support from 30 ing natural and cultural resource conservation, volunteers, CA State Parks, San Simeon Cham- recreation, and promoting compatible human Bay Net Shoreline Interpretation ber of Commerce, Seabird Protection Network, activities. Bay Net volunteer naturalists engage the public and the Cambria Community Council, the Ocean through a unique blend of interpretation and Fair highlighted partnerships in conservation and enforcement, providing shoreline visitors with a wildlife protection in MBNMS throughout Monterey Ed Ricketts Award and Lecture On April 10th, Dr. Steven Haddock of Monterey resource for local marine wildlife. In 2018, Bay and San Luis Obispo counties. Bay Aquarium Research Institute was presented Net volunteers donated over 1,700 hours and the Ed Ricketts Memorial Award and provided contacted 31,360 people along the shores of a captivating talk, “Beneath Pacific Tides: The the sanctuary between Santa Cruz and Pebble wondrous glowing realm of deep-sea biodiversity” Beach. The 2018 engagements bring Bay Net’s to members of the public and scientific com- total contacts to 452,450 people since 1995. Bay munity. Dr. Haddock described his early career, Net volunteers can be found along the shore all and how his interests developed in the fields of year round, but are especially instrumental in midwater , biology, and . protecting harbor seals and pups during their His research and scientific papers have advanced spring time pupping at local beaches in MBNMS. our knowledge of these bioluminescent and gelatinous animals. Distinguished recipients are Nearshore Ecosystem Surveys selected by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary research divers teamed up with CA Sanctuary Research Activity Panel members Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct near- each year. shore surveys along Sonoma County coastline. Due to several co-occurring natural phenomena (e.g., warm water events, high urchin recruitment, Ocean Fair brings together partners to highlight coastal New Research Publications and ocean protection in the sanctuary. a loss of sea stars that consume small urchins), MBNMS research team collaborated with scien- subtidal waters have transformed from one tists to publish three new technical reports. One dominated by bull kelp to one dominated by purple Advisory Council Meetings study, “Non-native Species Colonization of Highly sea urchins, having cascading effects on the red MBNMS Advisory Council met six times in 2018, Diverse, Wave Swept Outer Coast in abalone fishery. Data collected supports state and and received updates including: Management Central CA,” suggests the coastal study areas are sanctuary management approaches, and contrib- Plan Review progress, ocean acidification, acous- still relatively uninvaded by non-native species, uted to an assessment of the status and trends of tic research, adapting to sea level rise, marine but the success of an invasive bryzoan under- marine resources within Greater Farallones plastics, a pilot project on trawl gear, agriculture scores the potential vulnerability of high-value National Marine Sanctuary. water quality, joint MBNMS and U.S. Coast Guard open-coast systems to invasions. The second, cruise ships inspections, Elkhorn Slough National “Temperature Induced Range Expansion of a 8th Annual Whalefest Estuarine Research Reserve activities, CA State Subtropical Crab Along the CA Coast,” included Drawing over 10,000 visitors, the 8th annual Monitoring Action Plan, documentation of the range expansion and first Whalefest took place on January 26th & 27th in sea star wasting disease, and the recovery effort occurrence of a subtropical crab in northern Monterey. Staff collaborated on organizing this of black abalone at Mud Creek. The Council sent California during 2016. Lastly, “Fished Species free, fun, and educational interactive family event a comment letter on the draft proposed Five-Year Uniformly Reduced Escape Behaviors in celebrating gray whale migrations in MBNMS. Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Oil and Gas Response to Protection” reported on the effects of Superintendent Paul Michel presented on the Leasing Program, and approved a resolution protection on the behavioral traits of a marine fish latest scientific happenings in the sanctuary, recommending MBNMS staff coordinate with assemblage of nine targeted species including the black abalone relocation project in resource agency partners on research and man- across 16 California Marine Protected Areas Big Sur, and highlighted the valuable research, agement projects involving purple sea urchins in (MPAs) varying in age, protection level, and diver resource protection, and education partnerships Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. visitation. that support MBNMS management goals.

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