The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has released a set of proposed actions for a revised Sanctuary Management Plan that addresses a range of critical ocean issues. Most of the proposed action plans were developed by public working groups established by the Sanctuary’s Advisory Council and composed of a broad spectrum of affected stakeholders, the public, sanctuary staff and other agencies. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"The working groups’ proposed action plans represent a critical phase in our management plan review process," said Sanctuary Superintendent William J. Douros. "The proposed plans recommend specific strategies to reduce pollution of sanctuary waters, minimize disturbance to marine wildlife and restore and enhance biological communities and habitats. Taken together, the action plans will shape the focus and scope of work for sanctuary staff and our partners over the next five to ten years."
The Monterey Bay Sanctuary is undergoing a Joint Management Plan Review process with the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. A report detailing site-specific action plans for the two adjoining sanctuaries will be issued separately.
The working groups met this past winter and spring to develop strategies and actions to address issues identified as priorities by the Advisory Council and the public as part of the sanctuary’s mandated review of its management plan.
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will hear oral reports on the proposed action plans at its June 26 – 27 meeting at the Best Western Beach Resort in Seaside, Calif. The Advisory Council will provide advice to the Sanctuary Superintendent at its two-day meeting on July 31-August 1 in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Copies of the proposed action plans can be found on the Web at: http://sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/jointplan/. The document will also be available at area libraries. For more information on library locations or to request a free CD-ROM of the document, contact the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at (831) 647-4201.
Source: NOAA
