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National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (CCMA)

Weekly Report – May 14, 2008

CCMA, ONMS, and American Samoa Managers and Scientists Collaboration to Provide Information for Potential Network of Marine Protected Areas to Improve Resource Conservation
Scientists from NOAA’s Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, working in collaboration with biologists and managers form the Territory of American Samoa, conducted a suite of “kickoff” meetings to determine how best to implement a biogeographic assessment to define a potential network(s) of marine protected areas in American Samoa.  This work is directly linked to the ONMS Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary management plan review and the Territory’s efforts to develop a network of marine protected areas (MPAs).  The NOAA team met with all relevant American Samoa natural resource management agencies and the Governor of American Samoa during the week of April 27; the project partners agreed to move forward on the proposed study.  The next steps in the process are to develop a short project concept document, and by the end of the year, a comprehensive project implementation plan for the proposed 2-year biogeographic assessment study.  For more information, contact Mark Monaco at (301) 713-3028 x160 or Mark.Monaco@noaa.gov .

Updated Biogeographic Assessment of North/Central California National Marine Sanctuaries Published to Improve Resource Management
The Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment has released a report with updated information to help California sanctuary managers assess whether current strategies are effective. The report “A Biogeographic Assessment off North/Central California: In Support of the National Marine Sanctuaries of Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay.  Phase II: Environmental Setting and Update to Birds and Mammals”, was published in support of the management activities of three National Marine Sanctuaries off north/central California.  Now available in hardcopy, the report is the last in a series of products resulting from a biogeographic assessment off north/central California, and provides summary maps, analyses, descriptions and tables on the distribution, relative abundance, life history and populations of marine birds, mammals and selected environmental features off north/central California.  Products from the assessment are available online at: http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/canms_cd/welcome.html.  For more information, contact Tracy Gill at (301) 713-3028 ext.150 or Tracy.Gill@noaa.gov.