PARENT SESSION
Symposium #15: The Ecology-Policy Interface: Interests, Information, and Making Decisions.

Organized by: AC Keller and P Alpert
Tuesday, August 6. 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Leo Rich Theatre.

The role of ecology in marine policy: a case study from the California Channel Islands.

AIRAME, SATIE^*,1, ¹ Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Santa Barbara, CA

ABSTRACT- Marine ecologists have taken an active role in the development of a recommendation for marine reserves in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (Santa Barbara, California). A panel of marine scientists was convened to satisfy the information needs of a community group supported by state and federal agencies. Although the scientists were provided an opportunity to present information, the community group developed the framework for the scientific analysis and provided the final recommendation to the state and federal agencies. Scientists recommended establishing at least one, and possibly up to four, marine reserves, comprising at least 30%, and possibly up to 50%, of all habitats in each biogeographical region in the Sanctuary. The scientists used oceanographic and biological data to identify potential locations of marine reserves based on the goals established by the community group. The community group attempted to incorporate the scientific recommendations into their designs of potential marine reserves. Although some members of the community group incorporated the scientific recommendations into their designs, other members feared the potential economic impacts of marine reserves and did not follow the scientific recommendations. Six alternatives, ranging from no action to a network of 34% of the Sanctuary, were submitted for consideration by the California Fish and Game Commission. A final decision will be made in August 2002.

KEY WORDS: marine reserves, Channel Islands