From the ArcaMax Publishing, Science & Technology Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/technology/s-570584-117171
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- A report concerning California's Cordell Bank
National Marine Sanctuary indicates its health is fair to good, but
there are several emerging threats.
"Global issues of concern such as marine debris, ocean acidification
and invasive species have the potential to degrade fragile sanctuary
resources and habitats," said Dan Howard, sanctuary superintendent.
"This report provides a baseline for monitoring changes to sanctuary
resources and will help us to better understand and respond to these
emerging threats."
Prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the report indicates the
sanctuary's water quality is generally good due to the sanctuary's
offshore location and distance from major urban population centers.
Seafloor habitat quality was rated lower, primarily due to prior
impacts from fishing gear that came into contact with the sanctuary's
rocky reef and soft sediment habitats.
The report notes populations of rockfish, salmon, some seabird
species, and leatherback sea turtles that use the sanctuary are
depleted, but that fishery closures are helping to rebuild depleted
fish stocks.
NOAA scientists said additional research is needed about contaminants
and invasive species. While no maritime archaeological resources have
been identified in the sanctuary, only 18 percent of the sanctuary
seafloor has been mapped.
The Cordell Marine Sanctuary, located 42 miles north of San Francisco,
is one of 14 protected marine areas managed by NOAA.
The report is available at
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/condition/cbnms/welcome.html