State
of the Sanctuary Report
(continued)
ISSUE
4: Lack of Public Awareness
Many
concerns were directed to the Sanctuary's limited visibility
in the general public. Commenters called for the Sanctuary to
increase its name recognition and enhance basic understanding
of the Sanctuary and its resources. Scoping participants also
called for the Sanctuary to serve as a conduit of information
to user groups including researchers, fishermen, scientists
and recreational boat owners, and to conduct naturalist training
and certification.
Concern
A: Low Name Recognition
Possible
Actions:
• Develop and Implement Outreach Plan for Various Media
• Develop Outreach Program for Virtual Sanctuary Visitation
(e.g.,Website)
• Develop Corporate/Celebrity Sponsorships and Other Partnerships
Concern B: Better Information Dissemination to
the Public and User Groups
Possible
Actions:
• Develop Outreach Program for Whale Watchers Including
Certification
• Develop Network of Sanctuary Information Centers
• Establish Sanctuary as Regional Marine Education Resource
Center
• Develop Volunteer Program to Increase Effectiveness of
Public Outreach
Concern
C: Program Support
Possible
Actions:
• Establish "Friends" Organization to Leverage Sanctuary
Capabilities
• Establish Graduate Intern Program to Facilitate Joint
Education / Research with Area Universities
ISSUE
5: Effective Enforcement
Many
concerns were expressed regarding enforcement in the Sanctuary.
Several commenters noted that compliance with laws and regulations
was unlikely without an enforcement presence and that enforcement
was therefore critical to effective protection of Sanctuary
resources. The general sentiment was expressed that existing
laws need to be better enforced. Other comments were directed
at enforcement of voluntary guidelines associated with whale
watching (which can only be encouraged, not legally enforced)
and the need to strengthen regulations. Commenters stated that
current Sanctuary regulations alone are insufficient to protect
Sanctuary resources.
Concern
A: Need Greater Compliance with Regulations
Possible
Actions:
• Increase Enforcement Effort to Conduct Year-Round Sanctuary
Patrols
• Develop Penalty Schedule for Sanctuary Regulations
• Revitalize Coast Guard Partnership to Help Enforce Sanctuary
Regulations.
• Establish Volunteer Corps to Conduct On-the-Water Outreach
Concern
B: New Types of Vessels/Activities Require Monitoring
Possible
Actions:
• Survey and Assess Uses and Activities in the Sanctuary
Every Three Years
• Promulgate New Regulations as Needed to Avoid Injury
to Sanctuary Resources
• Collaborate with NMFS to Assure Complementary Regulatory
Scheme
Concern
C: Whalewatching Guidelines Need to Become Regulations to Avoid
Injury to Marine Mammals
Possible
Actions:
• Consult in Promulgation of Whalewatching Regulations
by NMFS
Next
Steps
The
Sanctuary will re-open the public comment period and hold additional
meetings as the means to gather broad public participation in
identifying possible issues for further evaluation and analysis.
The public comment period will be open during July1-October
18, 2002 The meetings are scheduled for September 2002 and will
be held at various dates, times and locations still to be decided.
This meeting information will be posted on the Sanctuary website
and publicly announced through various media when available.
Please see the accompanying notice on how to get involved.
Upon
completion of the comment period and next round of meetings,
the site will review all input and work with the Sanctuary Advisory
Council (SAC) to prioritize the various management actions proposed.
With the assistance of Working Groups created by and reporting
to the SAC, Sanctuary staff will develop draft action plans
to address major issues. Workshops may be conducted in the course
of Working Group deliberations to refine action plan content.
The action plans ultimately will form the foundation of the
revised management plan.
When
the action plans are completed, they will be incorporated into
the draft management plan. Release of the draft management plan
is expected to occur during Summer 2003. In addition to the
proposed action plans, it will contain relevant environmental
information and background information on site operations. The
draft management plan may also contain proposed regulatory changes.
The
Sanctuary will release the draft management plan for public
comment by holding another series of public meetings. Following
these meetings, the Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary
Program will review the comments and make necessary changes
before issuing the final management plan. The final management
plan is expected to be completed during Summer 2004. The accompanying
summary timeline identifies milestones in the management plan
review process.
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