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Facilitating Science
Monterey Bay

scientist divers doing research
Research using SCUBA can be supported through reciprocity diving agreements with MBNMS. This photo was taken during a subtidal survey for invasive species on "Middle Reef" in Whaler's Cove at Point Lobos State Marine Reserve. Credit: Chad King, MBNMS, NOAA

There are several resources available to researchers at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Please contact the Research Coordinator for discussions on facilitating research within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Research Coordinator: Andrew DeVogelaere

Boats

R/V Fulmar is used to greatly expand and enhance research, education and emergency response programs for the west coast region. The vessel is home ported at the Monterey Harbor in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and also serves the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. R/V 4107 supports collaborative research, education and resource protection projects in the Monterey Bay area to inform and implement sanctuary management. See table 1 on Small Boat Requirements Study FY 2006 - FY 2015 for the most up to date list of available vessels.

Permits

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary regulations provide for temporary permitting of specific activities that are not otherwise permissible. Such activities are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Permit requests are evaluated based on their potential single and cumulative impacts to sanctuary resources versus the potential benefits the activity may provide in terms of resource protection. Permitted activities are typically research or education oriented.

A permit is required when an individual wishes to conduct an activity within a sanctuary that is otherwise prohibited. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions to help determine if a permit is required for your proposed activity in MBNMS and for guidance on how to apply for a sanctuary permit.

Diving

Monterey Bay is a world-famous diving destination, with fast-moving sea lions, leisurely sea otters, numerous rockfishes and hundreds of kelp-dwelling marine invertebrates. Experience excellent shore diving from multiple locations along the sanctuary’s 270 miles of shoreline or take advantage of a local dive charter and explore more remote parts of the sanctuary. Scientific Divers can receive reciprocity to complete work conducted on SCUBA within MBNMS.

Lab Space

Currently, there is no lab space available to researchers at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

map of ecological areas
Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas (SESAs) are special areas that encompass remarkable, representative and/or sensitive marine habitats, communities and ecological processes. Credit: MBNMS, NOAA

Accommodations

Currently, there are no accommodations available to researchers at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Research Areas

There are several areas within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) that researchers should be aware of as they develop research plans. The MBNMS has established Sanctuary Ecologically Significant Areas (SESAs) that mark remarkable, representative and/or sensitive marine habitats, communities and ecological processes. To learn more about SESAs please refer to the MBNMS website. Other areas that researchers should be aware of include Overflight Protection Zones and Motorized Personal Watercraft zones. To learn more about special regulatory zones in the MBNMS please refer to the following website.

Data Buoys

A network of buoys that collect real-time data on oceanic conditions have been deployed in and near the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Collected parameters include wind speed and direction, wave height, dominant wave period, average wave period, air temperature, water temperature and atmospheric pressure. A listing of these buoys may be accessed from here.

Equipment and Instruments

Currently, there are no instruments or equipment available to researchers at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Special Considerations

There are no special considerations that researchers need to be aware of at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Key Documents

Research Needs
Documents that describe the immediate science needs for critical management issues

Condition Report
The Condition Report is a summary of the status and trend of sanctuary resources, pressures on those resources, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the marine environment.

For a full bibliography please visit the sanctuary’s publication site.