A group of key stakeholders was then How Can I Get Involved? The public opportunity for formal comment What Makes Davidson Seamount Differ- assembled to thoroughly evaluate the Davidson Seamount ent From Other Seamounts? issue and report their findings. This about this and other issues will occur during the hearings on the Draft Management Plan working group was composed of research What Is A Seamount? Davidson Seamount is located 75 miles scientists, educators, fishermen, marine and Draft EIS, scheduled for release in Spring, 2005. However, comments on this Seamounts are underwater mountains (120 km) southwest of Monterey (See conservation interest groups and ocean with steep sides rising over 3,280 feet map). It is 26 miles (42 km) long and 8 management agencies. The working group and other management plan issues may be sent to the Sanctuary Program at any time. (1,000 meters) above the surrounding miles (13 km) wide. From base to crest, concluded that Davidson Seamount met seafloor. There are over 30,000 seamounts Davidson Seamount is 7,874 feet (2,400 the criteria for sanctuary designation laid Additional Resources in the Pacific Ocean alone, yet remark- m) tall, yet the top still sits 4,101 feet out in the National Marine Sanctuaries To send email comments or learn more ably, less than 0.1% of the seamounts in (1,250 m) below the sea surface. Act. A majority of the group recom- about the Davidson Seamount Action Plan, the world have been explored. mended that its inclusion in the MBNMS go to: Conservation Qualities: Davidson Sea- be further considered in the development http://sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/jointplan Studies that have been conducted over mount is the largest seamount in the of a draft management plan for the sanctu- seamounts indicate that seamounts func- western Pacific Ocean and is one of the ary. The MBNMS Advisory Council To learn more about Davidson Seamount tion as “oases of life,” with higher species largest seamounts in the world. No sea- concurred with these findings and recom- and other seamounts, visit the SIMoN diversity and biomass found on the mounts are currently protected by sanctu- mended that NOAA move forward with website at: seamount and in the waters around it than ary status in the United States. The sea- the process of inclusion of Davidson http://www.mbnms-simon.org/sections/ on the seafloor. Seamounts rise up high in mount is home to fragile, large, coldwater Seamount in the MBNMS. NOAA is seamounts/overview.php?sec=s the water column, creating complex coral colonies with some species several currently considering these recommenda- current patterns influencing what lives on hundred years old. tions. To learn about a recent expedition to and above them. Seamounts also provide Davidson Seamount, go to: substrate (a location for attachment) http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/ where organisms can settle and grow. 02davidson/davidson.html These organisms provide a food source for other animals. Scientists have found that seamounts often provide habitat to endemic species, species found only in a single location.

There are several seamounts located just beyond the boundaries of the National Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Oceanic and Atmoshpheric 299 Foam Street Administration’s (NOAA) Monterey Bay Monterey, CA 93940 National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). (831) 647-4201 Davidson Seamount and Sanctuary Boundary Vermillion crab (Paralomis verrilli) dangling from These include Gumdrop, Pioneer, Guide www.montereybay.noaa.gov yellow sponge (Staurocalyptus sp.) and Davidson Seamounts . Ecological Qualities: Davidson Seamount Aesthetic Qualities: Hundreds of high- Cumulative Research Collection: World- Would Existing Fisheries Be Affected? has a pristine undersea ecosystem contain- quality photographs, maps and video of wide, there has been increased interest in No existing fishing activities would be ing a diversity of habitats and sea life. A Davidson Seamount’s unique creatures studying deep sea corals such as the large affected. Two commercial fisheries are 2002 research expedition documented including fishes, corals, and invertebrates pink bubblegum coral, Paragorgia. active in the waters above Davidson previously undiscovered species and as well as the seamount’s remarkable Davidson Seamount has several rare Seamount — drift gill netting for sword- species assemblages including large topography are available via NOAA growing coral species, including fish and sharks, and trolling for albacore patches of corals and sponges. This bio- websites, visitor centers, CD products, Paragorgia. Unmanaged collection of slow tuna — operate in the top 150 feet (46 logical diversity is not found on other newspaper articles, television broadcasts growing species, even to learn more about m) of water, 3,951 feet (1,204 m) above central California seamounts. and presentations. them, can damage fragile ecosystems. the seamount. Scientific Qualities: NOAA has worked in Seafloor Harvesting: Presently, there is partnership with marine research institu- What Is The Process? no known commercial harvesting activity Inclusion of Davidson Seamount was tions and universities to explore Davidson at Davidson Seamount. However, these raised during public scoping meetings Seamount and it is now one of the better- activities have destroyed seamount com- held in the fall/winter of 2002-2003 to studied seamounts in the world. With a munities in other parts of the world. If gather early input on potential revisions history of detailed research dives and high- discoveries of precious corals or other to the MBNMS management plan. The resolution maps, scientists can learn a great commercial species on Davidson Sea- MBNMS Advisory Council agreed that deal from the information gathered at Venus Fly Trap Anemone (Hormathiidae) mount become apparent, commercial Davidson Seamount should be evaluated Davidson Seamount. The seamount’s harvest with new deep sea techniques further as part of the management plan proximity to scientific research institutions What Are The Threats To Davidson could cause severe damage. One test trawl review process. makes it accessible for further study. Seamount? can wipe out ancient corals for hundreds of years. Education Qualities: Davidson There is currently no comprehensive Seamount’s proximity to the Monterey Bay conservation and management scheme in Marine Debris/Dumping: The Davidson National Marine Sanctuary and the place to protect the organisms on the Seamount area is not presently protected Monterey Bay Aquarium offer excellent seamount or the surrounding ecosystem. from targeted offshore dumping. opportunities to educate the public about Existing federal and state regulations do seamounts, cold-water sponges and corals, not protect Davidson Seamount from a and seafloor topography. This is not cur- variety of potential threats: rently a focus of other federal programs. How Is MBNMS Involved? Bio-prospecting: Some groups of organ- NOAA is considering protecting the re- Historical Significance: The Davidson isms found on seamounts have been sources and qualities of the Davidson Seamount was the first geologic featured targeted for commercial products. Exten- Seamount through inclusion in the described as a “seamount.” It was first sive collection of sensitive species for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. mapped in 1933 and was named for commercial use can damage the fragile Bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) George Davidson, a historic figure in early ecosystem. charting and mapping.