Management Plan Review State of the Sanctuary Report Implementation Status

Implementation Status for the Stellwagen Bank
National Marine Sanctuary 1993 Management Plan

Since designation in 1992, the Sanctuary has made substantial progress in developing programs for resource protection, research and monitoring, education and outreach. However, funding and staffing limitations and the need to respond to immediate and emerging issues have prevented the Sanctuary from fully achieving the ambitious plan set forth by the public and NOAA in the 1993 management plan. The following matrix summarizes the relative degree of success the Sanctuary has had in implementing the plan to date.


Resource Protection

	On Going	Not Impl.
Coordinate policies and procedures with other agencies currently possessing resource protection responsibilities in the Sanctuary
Work with other agencies to develop new procedures to address specific management concerns
Enforce Sanctuary regulations and enhance enforcement of regulations
Prepare a Sanctuary contingency and emergency response plan
Develop a Geographic Information System database of resources at risk
Develop procedures for emergency research
Provide guidelines for damage assessment
Develop cooperative agreements to improve oil/chemical spill detection programs and to enhance containment capabilities
Monitor commercial and recreational activities within the Sanctuary
Encourage other agencies to monitor activities in the Sanctuary
Improve overall detection of areas for particular management concern
Exchange information on commercial and recreational activities occurring within the Sanctuary
Consult with other agencies on proposals and policies for management of activities which may affect Sanctuary resources
Develop materials designed to enhance public awareness and appreciation of Sanctuary resources and show the need for their protection
Analyze human use patterns to determine any increased need for enforcement surveillance in the Sanctuary
Evaluate Sanctuary enforcement effectiveness, after two years and then annually Hold periodic meetings with enforcement personnel to determine adequacy of surveillance

Research and Monitoring

	On Going	Not Impl.
Develop a baseline study to determine features and processes of the environment
Develop baseline studies to determine the abundance, distribution and interactions among the living resources
Monitor changes in the Sanctuary's ecology:
Species population dynamics
Cetacean abundance
Seabird abundance
Effects of sport and commercial fishing
Effects of whale watching
Monitor changes in environmental quality (including pollution)
Monitor changes in human activities in the Sanctuary
Develop predictive studies to assess causes and effects of ecological and environmental changes, and to anticipate management issues
Prepare annual Sanctuary Research Plans
Monitor progress on research conducted in the Sanctuary
Conduct research workshops
Assist research exchange effort by making Sanctuary research databases available to other agencies and private institutions

Education and Outreach

	On Going	Not Impl.
Develop literature about resources and programs to reach Sanctuary on-site users, including whalewatch passengers, recreational boaters, charter boat operators, researchers and educators
Establish a Plymouth Headquarters Office with visitor center and interpretive materials in both print and audio-visual form
Provide information about other private and governmental activities occurring within or near the Sanctuary
Provide information about how the Sanctuary program coordinates with other public and private institutions or agencies to ensure ecosystem protection
Provide information about the National Marine Sanctuary Program
Conduct outreach programs for schools and universities
Develop curriculum materials and other teacher aids
Conduct off-site outreach programs for the general public, when possible in conjunction with regional environmental study organizations
Develop on-site visitor programs for fishing and whalewatching vessels, and other recreational boating visitors to the Sanctuary
Develop visitor center programs for the general public
Provide information for use by whalewatch naturalists
Co-sponsor special excursions to the Sanctuary with regional Non-Governmental Organizations
Make Sanctuary materials available at other visitor centers and offices, including NMFS Regional Office and Cape Cod National Seashore

Program Support

	On Going	Not Impl.
Prepare annual operating plan
Assist in coordination of surveillance and enforcement activities
Coordinate regularly with commercial and recreational fishing representatives primarily through the Sanctuary Advisory Council
Report regularly to headquarters on enforcement and emergencies
Provide information for training of enforcement officials
Monitor and evaluate the adequacy of emergency response plans
Maintain a record of emergency events in and around the Sanctuary
Evaluate overall progress toward resource protection objectives and prepare semi-annual and bi-monthly progress reports for headquarters
Forward recommendations to headquarters for Sanctuary use permits
Make available appropriate training for staff
Review management plan periodically and recommend changes to headquarters
Represent the Sanctuary at public forums
Ensure that staff includes a Manager, administrative assistant, research coordinator, education coordinator, and one or more enforcement/interpreter positions
Determine need for additional staffing
Establish a headquarters office and visitor center facility in Plymouth
Consider establishment of a satellite office in Provincetown, Gloucester or Hull

next section