Planning for the third study region of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative is beginning, and I am seeking nominations for members of the 2008- 2010 Master Plan Science Advisory Team (SAT).

Background
As you may know, the MLPA (Stats. 1999, Chapter 1015) directs the Department of Fish and Game (Department) to review the State's existing array of marine protected areas (MPAs) and improve upon it in order to, among other things, protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems, and marine natural heritage and ensure that MPAs are designed and managed, to the extent possible, as a network. In 2004, the California Resources Agency, the Department, and the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation formed the MLPA Initiative to achieve the goals of the MLPA.

The first phase of the MLPA Initiative was completed in September 2007 with implementation of new and revised MPAs in the central coast study region (between Pigeon Point and Point Conception). Four proposals for the second study region, the north central coast region (between Alder Creek, near Point Arena in Mendocino County and Pigeon Point in San Mateo County), were presented to the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at a special meeting on June 11, 2008. The north central coast region MPA regulations are expected to be adopted by the Commission by the end of the year.

In 2008-2010, the MLPA Initiative will focus on developing alternative MPA proposals in the south coast study region from Point Conception southward to the U.S./Mexico border. As in the other study regions, a Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) composed of respected public policy leaders will be established to oversee the public involvement process and recommend alternative MPA proposals for the south coast study region to the Commission. A regional stakeholder group will provide detailed input and develop draft proposals to be reviewed by the SAT and BRTF.

Charge
In the course of assisting the BRTF and the Department, the SAT will refrain from making policy judgments. Instead, the SAT shall frame and refer policy questions to BRTF whenever the available science presents options or uncertainty. The SAT will work closely with the stakeholder group to guide stakeholder development of draft MPA proposals but will not create a separate SAT proposal for specific MPAs. Guidance from the SAT on the design of an improved system of MPAs becomes effective through adoption by the Commission of the California Master Plan for MPAs, as required in the MLPA.

Membership and Duties
After considering all nominations, and in consultation with the Secretary for Resources, the Commission President, and BRTF Chair, I will appoint the SAT members. The SAT will include members knowledgeable in marine ecology, marine fisheries, marine protected areas, economics, social sciences and other applicable areas of expertise. A subset of these members will form the statutorily defined "Master Plan Team" and will be identified as such.

SAT members will designate a chair or co-chairs, and assign four to six members to serve as the SAT Sub-Team to the south coast project. The SAT members are expected to attend the regularly scheduled public meetings and assist as needed through June 2010. Meetings are expected to be held every four to six weeks in locations within the south coast study region. Occasional meetings may require multi-day formats. In addition to regularly scheduled SAT meetings, the south coast Sub-Team will be expected to attend stakeholder group meetings as representatives of the full SAT. Members of the SAT will, upon request, be reimbursed for actual travel expenditures related to the MLPA Initiative, but not for time.

Criteria for Selection
Membership will be selected based on the needed representation, areas of expertise and the following set of selection criteria:
?Ģ Willingness and availability to participate throughout the process and attend in person meetings approximately every six weeks until June 2010
?Ģ Knowledge of the scientific issues and information available with relation to MPAs and the fields of study listed above
?Ģ At least four members with specific knowledge of the Southern California Bight
?Ģ Documented recognition as an expert in one or more of the fields of study above
?Ģ Past experience and participation in similar groups that have provided advice to government agencies and ability to use science to advise public policy making
?Ģ Ability to relate complex scientific issues to lay people in public venues
?Ģ A comprehensive working understanding of the MLPA process and the role of the SAT relative to the other member bodies of the MLPA Initiative

First Meeting
The first meeting of the south coast SAT will be held in conjunction with the final meeting of the north central SAT to allow for a discussion of crossover issues and lessons learned. It will be held on September 15, 2008 in the Los Angeles area.

Instructions
To submit a nomination(s), please send a letter not longer than two pages explaining the qualifications of your nomination(s) with the full contact information for your nomination(s) and yourself. Please indicate their interest/availability and attach their curriculum vitae or resume, if possible. All nominations must be received at the addresses below by close of business on July 25th. Electronic submission of nominations is encouraged.

Mail: Lynn Takata, Staff Environmental Scientist
Attn: MLPA Science Advisory Team Nominations
1416 Ninth St., Rm. 1341-B
Sacramento, CA 95814
Email: ltakata@dfg.ca.gov
Subject: MLPA Science Team Nominations

Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to receiving your nominations for the MLPA Science Advisory Team.