CALIFORNIA AND THE OCEAN

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MARINE COUNCIL AND THE

CALIFORNIA COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

INITIATIVE

Gary B. GriggsChair

University of CaliforniaMarine Council

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MARINE COUNCIL

Mission Statement

The University of California Marine Council was established to promote and coordinate

marine policy, research, education, and public service throughout the University,

and to position the University as the leading resource for the state

of California in the exercise of responsible stewardship of its extensive and

valuable marine resources.

University of California Marine Council Marine Directory

(http://www.ucop.edu/research/ucmarine)

Listing and description of each campus’s marine programs and facilities:

- UCSD-Scripps Institution of Oceanography

- UC Riverside

- UC Irvine

- UCLA-Marine Sciences Center

- UCSB-Marine Sciences Institute

- UCSC-Institute of Marine Sciences

- UC Berkeley

- UC Davis-Bodega Marine Laboratory

University of California Marine Council Marine DirectoryListing of all marine scientists (~475) by subject area:

- Biological Oceanography

- Chemical/Geochemical/Biogeochemical Oceanography

- Coastal processes/Coastal and Ocean Engineering

- Environmental Toxicology

- Estuaries/Bays/Coastal Watersheds

- Fish/Fisheries/Aquaculture/Marine Resources

- Marine Biotechnology/Molecular Marine Biology/Marine Microbiology

- Marine Geology/Geophysics/Tectonics

- Marine Law/Policy/Planning

- Marine Mammals/Vertebrate Biology

- Nearshore Biology/Ecology

- Paleoceanography/Paleoclimatology and Global Change

- Physical Oceanography/Meteorology/Climatology

- Physiology

36,000,000 People and 1100 miles of coastline: Less than two inches per person, but 32 million visitors, and only 28%

of the coast is accessible beaches..~one-quarter inch of beach/person

All of these peoplehave had impacts,

however. The coastal ocean has been heavily affected

by human activities

OVERFISHING

Can Marine ProtectedAreas make a difference?

WASTE WATERDISCHARGEAND WATER

QUALITY

COASTAL WATER QUALITY

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS-An increasing concern for public health

OFFSHORE DRILLING AND PLATFORM REMOVAL

The coastline is the place where human development encounters wave attack,

cliff retreat, rising sea level, ENSO events, and hurricanes.

THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

INITIATIVE

Focusing the marine science resources of the University of California on the coastal issues

affecting the state of California

CALIFORNIA COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

INITIATIVE

$1,200,000 Annual Budget

• Large multi-campus proposals• Graduate fellowships

Awarded through an annual competitive pre-proposal and proposal process.

50% of funds support graduate students

RESEARCH PRIORITIES

• COASTAL WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY

• FISHERIES AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

• COASTAL HAZARDS AND SHORELINE PROCESSES

“The Role of Wetlands in Mitigating the Effects of Urban and Rural Runoff”

“Assessment of Recent Spatial Trends in Cause-Specific Mortality in Southern Sea

Otters”

“Toxic Phytoplankton Along the California Coast:

a 500-mile Perspective”

Domoic Acid

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Del Norte Sonoma San Mateo San LuisObispo

LosAngeles

San Diego

Percent of samples collected

not detected

<20

>20

Domoic acid (Pseudo-nitzschia)

Effects: vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, disorientation, short term memory loss, respiratory difficulty, death

“Coastal Bluff Erosion: Causes, Mechanisms, and Implications for Coastal

Protection and Restoration”

““Evaluation and Prediction of Beach Changes Evaluation and Prediction of Beach Changes Due to Natural Processes and Human Impacts Due to Natural Processes and Human Impacts

Along the Southern California Coast” Along the Southern California Coast”

“Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Fecal Pollution at Huntington Beach”

“Occurrence of Aremonas hydrophila in Southern California’s Coastal Waters and Virulence Factors

Associated With Infections”

“Network for Environmental Observations of the Coastal Ocean”

“Long-Term Studies on Marine Mammal Populations, with Emphasis on Nearshore

Habitats, in the Highly Impacted Waters of the Santa Monica Bay”

California Ocean and CoastalInformation and Research Needs Workshop

November 18-19, 2004

Jointly planned and sponsored by:

University of California Marine Council

California Sea Grant Program

California Resources Agency

California Ocean Science Trust

California Ocean and CoastalInformation and Research Needs Workshop

November 18-19, 2004

GENERAL AREAS OF INFORMATION & RESEARCH

NEEDS

1. Fisheries and Aquaculture

2. Ecosystems and Habitats

3. Coastal Sediments and Shoreline Processes

4. Water and Sediment Quality

5. Invasive Species

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

1. Implement ecosystem-based fisheries management

2. Gather more information on single species

3. Develop networks of marine protected areas

4. Develop sustainable aquaculture practices

5. Improve communication, collaboration and conflict resolution among user groups

ECOSYSTEMS AND HABITATS

1. Improve understanding of ecosystem structure and function

2. Identify, protect, and restore critical habitats

3. Improve understanding of human behavior and decision-making

4. Study the impacts of sound on marine life

COASTAL HAZARDS AND SHORELINE PROCESSES

1. Study sediment changes and impacts

2. Improve coastal hazard identification and forecasting

3. Conduct legal and public policy analyses

4. Develop coastal hazard response strategies

5. Study the threat of tsunamis

WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY

1. Determine the impacts of non-point source and storm water pollution

2. Develop baseline health indicators

3. Identify sources of pollutants

4. Conduct risk assessment for emerging contaminants

5. Develop strategies to improve sediment management

6. Improve non-point source and storm water pollution control technologies, remediation, and mitigation

INVASIVE SPECIES

1. Expand prevention strategies for invasive species

2. Develop a state-wide invasive species detection protocol

3. Develop a more science-based eradication approach

4. Support research and development to control the spread of invasive species

CROSS-CUTTING NEEDS

1. Develop and integrated ocean observation system

2. Improve, sustain, and expand monitoring programs

3. Complete seafloor mapping of high priority areas in state waters

4. Gather and utilize socio-economic data

MARINE RESEARCH AND POLICY-WHY DON’T THEY CONNECT?

• Lack of professionals trained in marine science and policy

• Decisions more often based on politics instead of science

• Congressional seniority and earmarking