DFG News Archive

Marine Life Protection Act Science Advisory Team Members Announced; First Meeting Scheduled Friday in Oakland

OAKLAND - A panel of scientific advisors selected to assist in developing a network of marine protected areas along the California coast will hold its first meeting Friday, Jan. 7, in Oakland. The Science Advisory Team (SAT), appointed by California Department of Fish and Game Director Ryan Broddrick, will provide scientific support for the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative.

WHO: Marine Life Protection Act Science Advisory Team members

WHAT: Hold first meeting to introduce members and address the public

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Elihu Harris State Building, 1515 Clay St., Room 11, Oakland, CA

“The network of marine protected areas required by the MLPA will be based on sound science,” said Director Broddrick. “The science advisory team’s expertise and independence helps assure that the final master plan for marine protected areas is both reasonable and effective.”

Members of the SAT are charged with assisting the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force in developing a framework for the design and implementation of a network of marine protected areas. Specifically, members will review and comment on scientific papers, review draft documents, and address scientific issues presented in those documents.“Ocean protection is a complex issue with various sources of scientific information that do not always speak the same language or come to the same conclusions,” said Phil Isenberg, chair of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force. “State law requires that the best available science be used and we will be relying upon the science team to help us do that.”

The Marine Life Protection Act directs the DFG to design and manage a network of marine protected areas to protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage, and to improve recreational, educational and research opportunities provided by marine ecosystems.

The California Fish and Game Commission, based on the recommendations of the DFG, with the assistance and advice of the Science Advisory Team and Blue Ribbon Task Force, will be asked to adopt networks of marine protected areas along the California coast between 2006 and 2011.Members of the Science Advisory Team are:

• Dr. Loo Botsford - University of California, Davis
• Dr. Mark Carr - University of California, Santa Cruz
• Dr. Steve Gaines - University of California, Santa Barbara
• Dr. Doyle Hanan - Hanan and Associates, Rancho Santa Fe
• Dr. Rikk Kvitek - California State University Monterey Bay
• Dr. Steven Murray - California State University, Fullerton
• Dr. Mark Ohman - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla
• Dr. Jeff Paduan - Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey
• Dr. Steven Palumbi - Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey
• Dr. Linwood Pendelton - University of California, Los Angeles
• Dr. Laura Rogers-Bennett - California Department of Fish and Game
• Mr. Dave Schaub - California Department of Parks and Recreation
• Mr. Kenneth Schiff - Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Westminster
• Dr. Astrid Scholz - Ecotrust, Portland, OR
• Dr. Rick Starr - UC Sea Grant Extension Program, Moss Landing
• Dr. William Sydeman - Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Stinson Beach
• Dr. Dean Wendt - California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
• Ms. Mary Yoklavich - NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Santa Cruz