FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SUMMARY OF PUBLIC

FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SUMMARY OF PUBLIC SCOPING COMMENTS Received September 26-November 23, 2006 Artificial Reefs • artificial reefs can easily be created and can be a tool to aid in protecting the sanctuary resources Endangered Species • listing of A. Palmata (elkhorn coral) and prohibitions on take • further research on sensitive species (marbled grouper, sea turtles) to further protection • watch for the decline of species Enforcement • use unmanned drones (mobile observation platforms with video surveillance • would like to see more oversight and enforcement at the reefs • enforcement needed to protect endangered sea turtles that are residents in the sanctuary • concern over overall enforcement in the sanctuary • consider a pilot/test for TV monitors on a buoy at Stetson Bank • more and better; remote stuff; satellite whatever • more personnel and more enforcement tools so that enforcement is done by NOAA alone and not delegated out • NOAA must have own enforcement personnel and equipment to regularly visit the Sanctuary; explain further what "adequately monitored" means • develop a cost-effective monitoring and enforcement program • concentrate efforts on enforcement with sanctuary vessel, off-site monitoring or collaboration with Coast Guard • use satellite radar for enforcement Harvesting • live-collecting without a research permit should be discontinued within the sanctuary Fishing • Ban all harvesting of marine life; permanent protections for all species • designate FGBNMS as a MPA with no take zones • support excluding fishing from the Flower Gardens • all forms of fishing and taking of resources should be banned within the sanctuary • fishing will improve at adjacent oil rigs if the FGB and Stetson are designated no fishing zones • hook and line fisherman should only be allowed to fish away from the cresting reef • fishermen who may get too close to the coral reefs where the turtles are located should be removed • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • do not allow any fishing keep fishing off Flower Gardens concerned with possible fishing regulations in the new management plan; what are needs of resources and possible solutions? propose no fishing of any sort within the sanctuary boundaries; risks outweigh the reward would like a set of large no-take zones covering diverse habitat types with at least 25% of the sanctuary set aside to be consistent with more proactive sanctuaries in the system disappointed in lack of discussion of no-take zones no-take zone; no fishing period! That means oil also and spearfishing favor the establishment of a no-take zone within the sanctuary (its entirety); should be modeled after the successful management strategies of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority thorough discussion or rec. fishing, possible limitations, reduction of use, and carrying capacity should be in MP/DEIS no chumming probably should not be fishing on the coral caps examine the option of prohibiting fishing of any kind within the existing Sanctuary boundaries make the sanctuary a no take fishing zone the decline in large fishes (grouper, jacks, sharks) should be immediately addressed; make the sanctuary off-limits to fishing; create a true sanctuary fishing of any kind should be discontinued within the existing sanctuary boundaries concern over declining Gulf fisheries; ecosystem management and a true sanctuary are desirable for a healthy marine ecosystem in the future consider establishing a "no-take" area and conduct rigorous scientific experiments to test the effects of preventing fishing within this fully protected area place a ban on recreational line fishing have seen diminishing fish and sea life populations over the past 8 years Flower Garden should be used for SCUBA; spearfishers and other fishermen are ruining the environment by anchoring here Flower Gardens should be made into a sanctuary to keep fishermen from destroying it help keep this area safe with less fishing to make it a fascinating place to dive and enjoy the aquatic life I would like to see no fishing allowed at the FGB; fishing at the gardens are destroying the reefs; no spear fishing or pole fishing efforts to restrict fishing in this area will increase marine life and habitat would like the Flower Gardens to remain protected from fishing and spearfishing continue to protect the area from fishing and spearfishing you need to keep the Flower Gardens as a real marine sanctuary which means no fishing, spear, line or any other kind Flower Gardens should be left as a sanctuary and no spearfishing or line fishing should be allowed should not allow fishing; a sanctuary is a protected place Flower Gardens should close line fishing in order to enhance dive experience and increase population of fish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • would like to see the Flower Gardens maintained as is with mooring buoys and a no fishing moratorium would like to see all of these areas have an imposed no take zone, meaning no spearfishing, no line fishing, and no anchoring allowed leave the do not take regulation in place to secure this reef as well as other area reefs opposed to any method of taking fish on the Flower Gardens or any other natural Gulf reefs would like to see thee no take zone for the FGB extended to line fishing Flower Garden Banks should be protected and preserved no fishing would like to see FGB stay a no take zone for diving and also to see it become a no take zone for fishing would like to see the FGB become no take zones oppose fishing there and hope you see that the future of the Flower Gardens are in jeopardy; if we are able to stop the fishing we can learn and study the reefs promote alternatives for fishermen and promote the marine life at the FGBNMS the Flower Gardens should be a place in the Gulf that is protected from any kind of fishing; keep it from any harm please keep the Flower Gardens protected from any form of fishing consider providing no take marine reserve status within the current boundaries of the FGBNMS needs to be a better understanding of fishing effort at the sanctuary would like to see the sanctuary become a marine reserve (no-take zone) to preserve and increase current biodiversity fishing for anything needs to be banned; not Ok in any sanctuary put restrictions on areas fished fishing should remain prohibited until further research is done Spearfishing • continue to keep spearfishing out of the sanctuary • do not allow spear guns anywhere around the FGB • keep spear guns off Flower Gardens • allow spear gun on-board boat in FGBNMS • don't understand why spearfishing is not allowed; open area to spearfishing but regulate and police; could shut down later if problems arise • Spearfishing should not be allowed due to safety and effects on larger fish; platforms outside boundaries and nearer to shore adequately serve spearfishermen • continue prohibition against spearfishing • maintain ban on spearfishing • leaving the gardens open to sport fishermen and closed to spearfishermen makes little sense; poor enforcement of rules gives little to prevent spearfishermen from hunting; post new limits or close fishing to everyone • continue prohibition against spearfishing • please keep spearfishing out of the sanctuary, as the practice focuses on the scarcer, larger, older, more fecund individual fishes • hope that spearfishing will not be allowed maintain the sanctuary as a no take spearfishing zone Flower Gardens should remain closed to spearfishing no spearfishing keep Flower Gardens a place where large fish do not flee at the sight of a diver and where divers can dive without the fear of getting speared • regulations of prohibiting the possession of a speargun inside the sanctuary is unrealistic ; should be legal to possess a disassembled and stowed speargun in the sanctuary if the intent is to spearfish outside the sanctuary • Spearfishing should not be allowed due to safety and effects on larger fish; platforms outside boundaries and nearer to shore adequately serve spearfishermen By-catch • concern over sea turtles caught in nets • educate fishing industry about by-catch and ensure enforcement; promulgate rule that mentions by-catch as illegal • • • • Lost Gear • concern over lost gear and effect on sea turtles • concern over discarded fishing gear and damage that it does to corals, sponges, animals Spawning Aggregations • concern over North Atlantic blue fin tuna Oil & Gas Existing/Maintenance • concern about long-term hazards of pipelines due to potential leaks New Infrastructure • need geospatial assessment of GOM marine resources and human use patterns before more extensive oil exploration and development of producing wells • site oil exploration and production activities in a way that minimizes impact on marine resources and human activities Aging Infrastructure • rigs to reefs program has not yet faced the fact that the impact of thousands of discarded rigs is not fully known; insufficient science to make intelligent decisions; FGBNMS will face this major issue • does not favor leaving HIA389 in place at end of its drilling life; does not favor rigs to reefs • all oil/gas platforms should be removed from inside the sanctuary; FGBNMS should not be a dumping ground Pollutant Discharge • FGBNMS should not be the release site for any waste discharges, period • DOD should be responsible to ensure its activities do not pollute or harm the sanctuary Oil & Gas • FGBNMS should be protected from all oil/gas activity discharges, not just those within the no-activity zone Vessels • no release of any effluents from vessels Regional Water Quality • concern over "dead zone" which may have potential to overwhelm the FGBNMS • work towards collaborative agreements with other agencies with regulatory authority of watershed affecting FGBNMS • put in place means to limit nutrient-rich water; including the Mississippi River delta and its far-reaching effects; algal overgrowth is happening due to an unknown source of nutrients Shipping/Transport • NOAA should pursue regulation of ballast waters and lightering zones to avoid introduction of pollutants or invasive species • reduce number of large boats in the area Visitor Use • establish a carrying capacity for rec. diving; concern about impacts of use; further research needed • disagreement with 'multiple sustainable use"; humans do not know what is sustainable • establish carrying capacity for fishing; NOAA should know impacts on local fish populations; do better; further research needed • FGBNMS needs to maintain all its present diving environments (FGB, Stetson, and platform diving); complete platform that starts at surface and continues to sports diving depth (130') • expectation that the sanctuary should be multi-user (diving, fishing, research) • concern over increasing visitor use is probably exaggerated; control use by monitoring/registering users; add additional banks to spread use over a larger area • web-site self-registering system should be considered to control and monitor vessel traffic and sanctuary use • continue prohibition against anchoring • include "research only" zones within the sanctuary; will allow evaluation of other activities • set-up control and test areas for research; have "do not enter" zones and "recreational" zones to determine human impact • Zoning should be considered to isolate Areas for research, etc. • continue prohibition against anchoring • strongly oppose any attempts to restrict public access to divers; divers are adequately policing themselves • don't see where a concern over increased usage comes from; no increase in number and size of charters needs to be an increase in monitoring of direct and indirect human impacts to the different banks • monitor trends in use to allow the sanctuary to readily and appropriately adjust protection and management goals • minimize terrible divers; no one under 100 logged dives needs to be here • limiting diving access to limit disturbances on the reefs • FGBNMS needs to maintain all its present diving environments (FGB, Stetson, and platform diving); complete platform that starts at surface and continues to sports diving depth (130') • expectation that the sanctuary should be multi-user (diving, fishing, research) • concern over increasing visitor use is probably exaggerated; control use by monitoring/registering users; add additional banks to spread use over a larger area User Conflicts • will not be a problem if a user registering system is properly working and sanctuary is expanded to spread out user access • predict increase in visitor use at Stetson and therefore an increase in conflicts; enforcement cannot remain as weak as it is • will not be a problem if a user registering system is properly working and sanctuary is expanded to spread out user access • Mooring Buoys • would like to see a mooring buoy placed at Candy Mountain • mooring buoys would help slow the destruction of these reefs off the LA, TX coast • in favor of installing mooring buoys to avoid having to use anchors • I favor mooring buoys • no anchoring • Candy Mountain is being destroyed by anchors • Candy Mountain needs mooring buoys to protect one of the most beautiful reefs in the GOM • install mooring buoys to save the reef at Sonnier Bank • Sonnier Bank needs mooring buoys because anchors are destroying the reef • pull all buoys so big boats and fishing boats cannot tie up; tie offs to be done by diving Wildlife Interactions Physical Contact • A user registration program should provide instruction about not making contact/initiating contact with wildlife • researches may be more of a problem in regards to wildlife interactions • create regulations prohibiting touching of currently unprotected animals • create a policy regarding interactions with/touching of sharks • A user registration program should provide instruction about not making contact/initiating contact with wildlife • researches may be more of a problem in regards to wildlife interactions Sound • divers and normal boat sounds have minimal impacts; mooring system allows animals to temporarily relocate to other areas of the bank • FGBNMS should coordinate with MMS to control noise producing activities associated with oil and gas exploration • divers and normal boat sounds have minimal impacts; mooring system allows animals to temporarily relocate to other areas of the bank • FGBNMS should coordinate with MMS to control noise producing activities associated with oil and gas exploration Light • • • • • • normal night diving is likely not a problem; mooring system limits divers to small area surface powered video lights and IMAX filming may have more of an effect instructions contained in a vessel registration program could address any problems night dives are extremely short; divers are properly briefed on light etiquette and this is generally followed normal night diving is likely not a problem; mooring system limits divers to small area surface powered video lights and IMAX filming may have more of an effect Coral Impacts • encourage proper cleaning of gear; researchers studying disease may be the biggest culprits • researchers studying disease may be the biggest culprits; more data is necessary Boundary Expansion • hope that protected boundary can be extended • expand coverage area of the sanctuary to include other banks that contain similar habitats • should begin to assess potential of consolidating and extending current sanctuary boundaries to affect more comprehensive, long-term governance • Urge ecosystem-based management approach; MMAs in GOM have overlap of jurisdictions, fragmented management, and use conflicts; FGBNMS should be a model program to move to more effective ocean governance • great idea to add Candy Mountain (Sonnier Bank) to the marine sanctuary • add Sonnier Bank (Candy Mountain) to the marine sanctuary • interest in changing boundaries • would like to see as a long term goal the inclusion of the other MMS no activity zones into the sanctuary • propose adding Geyer Bank and Sonnier Bank to the FGBNMS; both are worthy of protection status • add more banks and area to the FGBNMS; group WFGB, EFGB, SB; increase area for habitat connectivity • protect other banks in the GOM so they may provide migration corridors • Stetson Bank should be expanded to include Stetson Ring • Expand FGBNMS to connect East and West Banks and include a buffer zone of several miles • add Sonnier Bank and Geyer Bank • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • examine potential expansion of boundaries to include Sonnier, Geyer, Bright, McGrail Banks; manage under same restrictions as current sanctuary expand boundaries to include nearby banks linked by ecological connectivity; these areas are significant to maintaining health of reef fish and other marine life include Sonnier Bank into the sanctuary; "no take" should also apply to this bank expand the dimensions of the sanctuary protect Sonnier Bank and other hard-bottom banks as they provide habitat for reef and pelagic fishes sanctuary boundaries should be expanded to include Sonnier and Geyer Banks to be managed under the same regulations as the current sanctuary; consider adding Bright and McGrail Banks at a future date conduct research to measure movements of organisms and linkages between FGB and other banks and reefs; may need to extend present boundaries bring Sonnier Bank into the protection of the NMS; destruction from anchors is killing this reef bring Sonnier Bank under the supervision and protection of the FGBNMS include Sonnier Bank into the protected area include Sonnier Bank in the sanctuary include Sonnier Bank in the sanctuary include Sonnier Bank in the sanctuary Sonnier Bank should be included in the protections of this marine sanctuary would like to see the marine sanctuary include Sonnier Bank (Candy Mountain); very important dive sites to local divers and should be protected protect Candy Mountain area would like to see Sonnier Bank brought under the protections of the sanctuary would like to see Sonnier Bank become a no take zone protect and preserve Candy Mountain Sonnier Bank should be included with the protected area; it is being destroyed by anchors Sonnier Bank is being destroyed by anchors; include this bank into the protected area consider including Sonnier Bank into the marine sanctuary consider expansion of the existing FGBNMS boundaries to include similar and related features along the GOM Continental Shelf (Alabama Pinnacles, Madison and Swanson Banks, Florida Middle Grounds, and other features along Florida's southwest shelf) explore the possibility of adding Bright Bank and Geyer Bank to the sanctuary; these are two valuable resources expand sanctuary to include connected sensitive habitats and other sensitive habitats in the GOM consider expanding the sanctuaries in the gulf to include a pinnacle off the coast of Alabama where some important reefs may be found; important to protect these kinds of systems as they are stepping stones for a lot of marine biodiversity addition of MacNeil, Rankin, and Bright Banks will increase protection for FGB and areas linking them add Sonnier Bank and Geyer Bank Connectivity • further research needed on connection of FGBNMS to other topographical highs • more regulation of activities in GOM and Caribbean to protect the FGBNMS; NOAA should work toward a broader regulatory picture • define and further discuss ecosystem-based management • addition of MacNeil, Rankin, and Bright Banks will increase protection for FGB and areas linking them • the NMS should analyze and consider the highway of larval transport, including sources and sinks; specifically the Alabama Pinnacles; areas should be considered as critical habitat and protected • sanctuary should be managing and protecting more than current three banks for ecosystem management Invasive Species • MP/DEIS should put in place a procedure for removing and killing invasive species • consider becoming more involved in research on invasive marine species, as the FGBNMS is particularly suited to this type of research Education • propose continuation and expansion of the naturalist on board program; grass roots form of resource education has huge payout for benefiting the sanctuary • would like more information shared with the land-loving public; Joe fisherman or Jose fisherman would benefit from knowing where his catch was born • DUOY is great; continue and do more • provide education throughout the whole watershed • increase outreach to commercial and sports fishermen and transportation industry • lack of communication with larger audience and general public; info not provided in a timely manner • info in emails/website geared toward educators and scientific community; not general public • should involve Houston paper and local news media • DUOY is an excellent program • put in place a traveling teacher program with traveling trunk to reach more students • set up a stationary lab for teachers to use at the Galveston NOAA facility • naturalist program continues to show positive growth; need mor information and visual aids regarding current research projects • sanctuary should provide balanced, scientific info on current topics (LNG, artificial reefs, fishing, etc) to educate those who need more info in order to take a stand • work harder at doing outreach/education with fishing and boating communities • begin bilingual outreach and education initiative (Spanish, Vietnamese) • Sonnier Bank should be included in the sanctuary • DUOY workshop provides resources that can be shared with others; use of this format has had the effect of multiplying our impact several times • promote other educational resources: website and FGBNMS Education Digest Global Warming • MP/DEIS should discuss global warming and its effects on FGBNMS • further research on how to mitigate impacts of global warming Hurricanes • further research needed on effects of hurricanes General Comments • FGBNMS is a crown jewel in the GOM offering education while protecting coral reef and marine life • the sanctuary which represents collaboration of the oil industry, conservation organizations and the government to protect natural resources must be preserved • urge FGBNMS to be responsive to developing national ocean policy which has potential to achieve sustainable use • very organized scoping meeting; excellent presentation and materials • informative meeting and helpful staff • would like the opportunity to conduct research on our public engagement process; interested in how the voices are managed and empowered or not • very good training • enjoyed learning more about the issues • learned a lot from presentation and questions • prefers no enhancement of natural resources; does not like use of that term in mission/goals; restoration OK, not enhancement • monitoring of other organisms and ecosystem functions below the coral cap • Timeline in SOS report is incomplete • MP/DEIS should explain how mapping and characterization data have been used for recommendations and regulations • explain how the FGBNMS is a "benchmark for evaluating the health of other reefs" • establish guidelines to protect this marine diversity for continued recreational and research diving • sanctuary needs to be in in a network of zoned MPAs in the GOM • MP should be explicit in achievable goals and benchmarks within the 5yr time frame; many previous MP goals were not achieved despite 14yrs to accomplish; larger goals should be in a strategic plan • the FGB should not be disturbed under any situation • impressed with professionalism and thoroughness of the public scoping meeting in Corpus Christi • FGBNMS currently doing a good job of managing the sanctuary; staff and activities have a high profile in academia • the sanctuary's endeavors to incorporate and accommodate the public and outside researchers in their activities on the FGB should be lauded • do everything we can to protect the sea life and structure for future generations to see • please protect the Flower Gardens from any more damage • these areas need protections so our kids will have a place to go dive; diving is a growing business in s.w.. Louisiana • • • • • • • • • • • • protect these recreational dive sites so they may continue to grow dive areas like these are few and far between on the TX, LA coast and should be preserved protect and preserve the Flower Garden Banks pleased to see us moving ahead with the management plan review and consider regulatory and other changes for the sanctuary strongly believe enhanced protection for this site is needed; consider strengthening protection for all sanctuary resources including fish sanctuary is doing a good job of managing the resource; scoping meeting well run and informative management of the sanctuary has been adequate, but do believe there are areas that can be strengthened adaptive management is key to sustainability of these valuable resources continue to manage and preserve the FGBNMS for future generations in favor of continuing long-term coral monitoring program impressed with manner in which we've been able to preserve this national treasure and coexist with the oil and gas industry NOAA should afford the FGB one of the highest levels of protection; the system appears to be highly isolated with respect to coral recruitment and connectivity with other major systems; coral on platforms will help to stabilize the system, but only for a few species Administrative • consider having someone responsible for posting periodic updated on the major online forums (such as CHUM, Zen diving and Scubaboard) • funding is a problem for the sanctuary; educate the general public through publicity to help achieve greater funding