2018 Accomplishments Brooding Deep-sea Octopuses Discovered Proposed Essential Fish Habitat In October, staff joined Ocean Exploration Trust and Modifications Accepted the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries aboard The Pacific Fishery 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 Seamount 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 Monterey Bay 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 trawling impacts, coupled with opportunities hydrocarbons (methane), or salinity differences in for fishermen to access valuable fishing 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 Cannery Row 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 biodiversity 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 Monterey Peninsula 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 coral 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 Monterey Bay Aquarium 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 corals were studied for age, preferred alternative. Federal, state, and local sanctuary. growth, predation, 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 Fisheries Service and efforts. The Chapter will grow to serve as a model in partnership with other local businesses and the California 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