Photo by Charlotte Stevenson

Workshops and Other Events

In support of ongoing an emerging ocean and coastal issues, OST hosts and/or partners on a range of workshops and other events, including seminars, briefings, and panels.

Panel: Evaluating Success in Climate Adaptation Research and Practice (May 30, 2012)

Our own Ryan Meyer collaborated with NOAA's Adam Parris to organize this panel at the Climate Adaptation Conference in Tuscon, AZ

For further information, contact Ryan Meyer, Associate Scientist.

[ top ]

Understanding and Developing Recommended Responses to Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Events in California (January 11, 2012)

This workshop was hosted by Ocean Science Trust and CA Sea Grant, with meeting space donated by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

This workshop was a hands-on discussion of how the research and management communities can or should respond to unusual, potentially HAB-related events in the future. Attendees used the response to the recent Sonoma event as a case study to work towards developing a series of recommendations for short, medium, and long-term strategies. The workshop covered a range of topics, including approaches for targeted sampling and integrative analyses to better understand of the impacts of HAB events, management actions available to respond to events, and what a comprehensive state-wide monitoring and response network of researchers, managers, policy-makers and other stakeholders should look like. More information to come as workshop follow up gets underway.

For further information, contact Errin Kramer-Wilt, Associate Scientist.

Workshop Materials:

Workshop Presentations:

  • Presentation: Dr. Raphael Kudela, Professor of Ocean Sciences, UC Santa Cruz
  • Presentation: Dr. Karina Nielsen, Associate Professor of Biology, Sonoma State University, Member, OPC Science Advisory Team
  • Presentation: Dr. Quay Dortch, Ecology and Oceanography of HABs Coordinator, NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research
  • Presentation: Dr. Craig Shuman, Marine Advisor, CA Fish and Game Commission

Post-Workshop Materials:

[ top ]

California Current Acidification Network (July 6-7, 2011)

A workshop hosted at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project with sponsorship from the California Current Acidification Network.

To carry out the objectives set forth at the July 2010 West Coast Ocean Acidification Shellfish workshop, the California Current Acidification Network (C-CAN) was developed. This workshop, organized by C-CAN steering members, sets forth the goal(s) of developing a roadmap for integrating ocean acidification observing activities on the US West Coast that ensures balanced participation of academic, governmental, and commercial stakeholders. Stakeholders will review current monitoring programs and dialogue in a roundtable format the next steps for building a sustainable monitoring network along the West Coast. Additionally, discussion will address aspects of data integration to better address salient resource management questions.

[ top ]

The Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (March 30, 2011)

A webinar series and workshop hosted by the California Ocean Protection Council with support from California Ocean Science Trust

In light of the numerous dissimilar habitat classification schemes, NOAA and NatureServe partnered to develop a universally accepted ecological classification scheme that will accommodate all the physical, biological, and chemical information that collectively determine a marine habitat type. The Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) is compatible with all observational technologies, facilitating the cross-walking of existing data into a single framework. To assess the potential for CMECS to address California management and research needs, a 4-part informational webinar series was held on March 1, 8, 15 and 22, followed by a workshop in Oakland, CA on March 30.

Purpose

  • Evaluate the potential roles of ecological classification schemes in supporting natural resource management
  • Gauge the potential for a CMECS pilot project to advance research projects (e.g. habitat mapping) and inform management efforts (e.g., MSP)
  • Identify the essential criteria for a CMECS pilot project

    • For all related workshop materials: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard Summary

[ top ]

Comparative Assessment of Visual Tools Survey (February 22-23, 2011)

A workshop hosted by the Monterey Bay Research Institute with support from California Ocean Science Trust

Visual surveys of seafloor habitats and associated species are now widely used in marine research and resource management. However, available tools for such surveys range widely in cost and capabilities, and matching management needs with the evolving technologies can be a complex task. The Visual Tools workshop was designed to examine the capabilities, limitations, operational considerations, and cost of tools available for visual surveys of benthic communities.

An action item of the workshop involves the production of a reference document with specific, practical guidance on identifying factors that should be considered in choosing visual survey tools for different purposes, including a cost-capability matrix. This document is forthcoming.

[ top ]

The Prospects for Marine Spatial Planning (December 13, 2010)

A special seminar for the OPC Science Advisory Team hosted by California Ocean Science Trust at the Stanford University Campus

Interest in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as a potential mechanism to sustainably manage our coastal uses continues to grow. The December 2010 seminar provided perspectives into the prospects for MSP in California, featuring presentations from Dr. Amber Mace, the Executive Director of the Ocean Protection Council and staff from Center for Ocean Solutions (COS), led by Executive Director Meg Caldwell. Group discussion focused on progressing MSP in California, key science challenges, emerging research, and regional and national direction for MSP.

For all related seminar materials:

[ top ]

The Second Regional Workshop for Harmful Algal Blooms in California Coastal Waters (July 22, 2010)

A workshop sponsored by California Ocean Science Trust, NOAA, California Sea Grant, and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

To assess the risks posed by HABs, including marine life mortalities, seafood contamination and economic impacts, a workshop was held in Costa Mesa in 2008. The workshop produced a number of action items, including the development of a California statewide HAB monitoring and alert network (California HABMAP) that would build off an e-mail listserv where data could be rapidly transmitted to HAB responders for improved response and adaptive management.

The July 2010 workshop evaluated the utility of the current California HABMAP listserv, identified information gaps, and evaluated the need and priorities for a HAB forecasting system. The workshop brought together participants from various organizations, including water quality management, shellfish management and public health protection, animal rescue communities, and ocean observing networks.

Purpose:

  • Enhance the interaction between HAB researchers and responders
  • Solicit HAB user community input on the utility of the HABMAP program
  • Outline specific improvements and products for the user community

Outcome

  • Develop a regional system to forecast potential HAB events
  • Provide an interpretive synopsis when a HAB event is occurring
  • Develop common thresholds and formats for alerts among data collectors
  • Provide real-time stranding information on all animals to streamline sampling efforts
  • Include freshwater toxin information (e.g., microcystins)
  • Customize the visualization of HABMAP data to better understand the intensity of HAB events
  • Increase linkages to other data types (e.g., loading information, marine mammal stranding, oceanographic data)

    • For all related workshop materials: Workshop Report

[ top ]

West Coast Ocean Acidification-Shellfish Workshop (July 7-8, 2010)

A workshop sponsored by California Ocean Science Trust, the Southern California Coastal water Research Project, NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System and California, Washington, Oregon and University of Southern California Sea Grant Programs

Initial observations indicate increasing acidification levels in the world oceans may result in adverse impacts to marine life, including shellfish populations. To further evaluate relationship between ocean acidification and shellfish populations on the West Coast, state and federal managers, scientists and members of the shellfish industry came together at the July 2010 workshop.

Purpose:

  • Initiate a cross-disciplinary dialogue among scientists, shellfish growers, fishers, and managers
  • Identify how to better integrate currently available shellfish recruitment studies and ocean observing system measurements
  • Identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future studies

Outcome/Recommendation:

  • Establish a West Coast Ocean Acidification Research Coordination Working Group to design best practice recommendations and standardized research methods that will ensure a coordinated network of ocean observations and experimental studies
  • Develop a West Coast Ocean Acidification Data Exchange, integrated with IOOS and consisting of a single data portal, to provide easy access to available data and information regarding ocean acidification processes affecting West Coast marine life, including shellfish
  • Enhance the proposed NOAA West Coast Ocean Acidification Observing Network

    • Brochure: Is Ocean Acidification Affecting Shellfish?

    For all related workshop materials: Workshop Report

[ top ]

Contaminants of Emerging Concern in California (April 28-29, 2009)

A workshop sponsored by California Ocean Science Trust, California Ocean Protection Council, National Water Research Institute, University of California Irvine, Urban Water Research Center, San Francisco Estuary Institute and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are a diverse group of relatively unmonitored and unregulated chemicals found in consumer and industrial products that have been shown to occur at trace levels in wastewater discharges, ambient receiving waters, and drinking water supplies. A lack of basic information and the technology to efficiently measure CECs results in limits to evaluating their potential risks.

Purpose:

  • Enhance communication about CECs between scientists, water quality managers, and stakeholders
  • Identify ways for integrating science into an effective management strategy for California CECs

Outcome:

  • Identify which CECs should be incorporated into routine aquatic monitoring programs
  • Standardize the measurement processes and techniques for monitoring priority CECs
  • Establish thresholds of ecological and human health concern for interpreting CEC monitoring data.

    • For all related workshop materials: Contaminant Workshop Report

[ top ]

Invasive Species Risk Assessment (November 6-7, 2008)

A workshop hosted by California Ocean Science Trust

The California Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan (the Plan), signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in January 2008, identifies actions to develop and maintain programs that ensure both the monitoring of existing aquatic invasive species and the early detection of new aquatic invasive species in California. The Plan called for a statewide risk assessment that systematically evaluates recognized introduction pathways. The California Ocean Protection Council contracted OST to facilitate scientifically robust examinations of the vectors and their relative risk. This workshop provided an opportunity for the research teams to collaborate and determine a common set of terms, methodology, and scope for the studies.

Purpose:

  • For the vector teams to gain a better understanding of the project objectives of the OPC and the State
  • Develop a set of common terms and approaches across the 3 teams and 6 studies that will inform literature review, surveys, internet sampling, and risk assessment
  • Network among the teams.

Outcome:

  • List of common terms to be used in the risk assessment reports.
  • Refined report outline with clarified existing components and a methods section
  • Outline of how 'risk' will be expressed for the purposes of the project.

[ top ]

The Inaugural Regional Workshop for Harmful Algal Blooms in California Coastal Waters (April 2-3, 2008)

A workshop sponsored by California Ocean Science Trust, California Ocean Protection Council, NOAA's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

Nutrient laden runoff, sewage, and climate change are examples of human-induced effects that are exacerbating harmful algal blooms (HABs). Recent observations demonstrate that HAB events are increasing in frequency, coverage and duration. This workshop brought together regional experts to assess the feasibility of creating an integrated HAB alert network. The organizing committee intended the workshop to be the first in a series aimed at creating an integrated and coordinated HAB alert network in California.

Purpose:

  • Facilitate information exchange among the California HAB community
  • Identify the major impediments to synchronizing these data sets and integrating HAB programs into a coordinated statewide HAB alert network
  • Identify the research priorities and next steps necessary to forming a coordinated statewide HAB monitoring and alert network and improving predictive capabilities for California

Outcome/Recommendations:

  • There was widespread agreement among the participants that the development of an integrated statewide HAB alert network would be of value to both researchers and end user communities. The participants further determined that the impediments identified at the workshop were primarily organizational and motivational, rather than technical. Based on this conclusion, the workshop participants agreed that the following next steps should be implemented:
  • Elect a steering committee and facilitator that will organize the group, implement the recommendations from the workshop, and centralize information from all groups in the State
  • Communicate a summary of the workshop and recommendations to the OPC to gauge their interest in having a coordinated network and potentially funding the initial development steps
  • Initiate interaction tools, such as an e-mail list server, a website, and a summary of existing programs
  • Develop study plans and seek funding for an inter-laboratory inter-calibration study of toxin detection and species identification methods
  • Conduct a regional data pilot study building on one of the programs with a regional mission, such as the SCCOOS HAB pier program or the MERHAB Cal-PREeMPT program

    • For all related workshop materials: Workshop Report

[ top ]

Making Use of Ocean Observing: Applications to Marine Protected Areas and Water Quality (September 25-26, 2007)

A workshop sponsored by the Coastal States Organizations and California Ocean Science Trust

Purpose:

  • Convene managers and ocean observing experts to determine the requirements for a coastal ocean observing system that would meet the needs of both water quality and marine protected area (MPA) managers in California
  • Develop a model for a high-level design of an observing system for water quality and MPA monitoring and to overlay those needs to develop a single system that could meet both needs

Outcome/Recommendations:

  • Identified ways that ocean observing can address water quality issues and assist with MPA monitoring
  • Determined what data is needed to outline the requirements for ocean observing information products
  • Should retain consulting services to work with the Regional Associations and the State to create a cohesive vision for ocean observing systems that meet managers' needs in California
  • Work should expand beyond the water quality and MPA topic areas to include other key areas such as harmful algal blooms, sediment transfer, ocean energy, and maritime safety.
  • Project should articulate a vision that meets managers' needs; is acceptable to and deemed feasible by the scientific and observation community; and is understandable by high-level decision makers

    • For all related workshop materials: Workshop Report

    Please visit the National Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System and the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System for more information.

[ top ]

Workshop Reports Prior to 2007

  • California Ocean and Coastal Information, Research, and Outreach Needs Workshop Final Summary Report (2005)

[ top ]