This section describes the role that Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary will play and the general nature of the programs to be implemented. Sanctuary goals, objectives and management philosophy establish guidelines within which detailed programs for resource protection, research, interpretation, recreation and administration are developed.
Sanctuary goals are long-term and somewhat open-ended, focusing on desired conditions rather than specific actions. Goals are based on an analysis of background information and issues are developed in accordance with the goals, policies and aspirations of the national program. Management objectives are short-term, measurable steps taken toward fulfilling the goals. Specific management strategies and programs are the actions taken toward fulfilling the reasons for sanctuary designation.
Goals and objectives for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary are listed below with a brief discussion of the information on which they are based.
Goal 1
The Sanctuary provides habitat for a wide variety of marine plant, invertebrate and fish species including tropicals which are naturally rare in the area. It also serves as refuge for sea turtles. Sanctuary designation provides an unique opportunity to insure long-term protection for a significant national resource. The following objectives address this goal.
Objectives
b. Maintain an on-site management capability that stays informed of resource conditions and human activities over time and recommends action if problems arise.
c. Maintain the surveillance and enforcement presence needed to ensure compliance with sanctuary regulations and adequate protection of sanctuary resources.
d. Inform the public on the sensitive nature of the sanctuary resources, the purpose of sanctuary designation and the need for sanctuary regulations.
e. Establish mechanisms to foster coordination and collaboration among federal and state resource management agencies on resource protection issues.
f. Review the effectiveness of the Resource Protection Plan, activities, resource monitoring programs and public awareness programs (i.e. interpretive programs) and initiate changes as necessary.
Goal 2
Live bottoms are unique ecotypes supporting resources of ecological, recreational, commercial and esthetic importance, yet because of their recent discovery and only limited scientific attention, our understanding of these areas is poor. A comprehensive and coordinated research program is needed to promote studies that will provide information on how a live bottom system functions and help answer management questions when they arise. Management objectives addressing this goal are presented below.
Objectives
b. Encourage and support research and resource monitoring projects which are compatible with other activities in the Sanctuary and which provide maximum information about the ecosystem with minimum disturbance of its components.
c. Collaborate with other organizations to enhance opportunities for research related to live bottom ecosystems and resource management.
d. Establish mechanisms for using information gained through scientific investigation in management decisionmaking and in interpretive and recreational programs.
e. Provide a means for information exchange between sanctuary managers, scientific investigators, and the general public.
f. Review the effectiveness of the Resource Studies Plan on an annual basis and initiate changes as necessary.
Goal 3
Relatively few people are familiar with live bottom ecosystems, and even fewer know that Gray's Reef has been designated as a national marine sanctuary. Although live bottoms are known locally for their importance as fish havens, there is little widespread knowledge of their ecological significance or their sensitivity to environmental disturbance. This is not surprising in view of the fact that little has been written or broadcast about them; live bottoms were not described in the scientific literature until 1969 (Struhsaker, 1969). Articles in national magazines, exercises in educational textbooks and nature films in circulation feature tropical coral reefs and their communities as the only examples of reef environments. Through a variety of interpretive and recreational programs, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary provides unique opportunities to introduce live bottoms to the general public, describe their values and vulnerabilities and encourage caution concerning their use. The objectives outlined below address this goal.
Objectives
b. Promote the Sanctuary as a resource for educational, interpretive and recreational use consistent with conservation objectives.
c. Broaden public support for sanctuary programs by providing extension or outreach programs to audiences of diverse interests, ages and skills. Inform the general public about the Sanctuary, its location, its significant resources and the need for management and protection.
d. Provide a means for information exchange and public comment on the effectiveness of sanctuary interpretive and recreational programs.
e. Collaborate with other organizations to enhance opportunities for interpretation and recreation related to live bottom habitats.
f. Review the effectiveness of the Interpretation and Recreation Plan on an annual basis and initiate changes as necessary.
Goal 4
Gray's Reef attracts a variety of uses, including fishing, diving, research and education. The Sanctuary was designated as a means to foster compatible uses of the area and to balance this use with resource conservation. Underlying this goal is an objective to maintain the outstanding natural quality of the environment for the benefit of future generations. The objectives outlined below address this goal.
Objectives
b. Identify the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in sanctuary administration and specify procedures for implementing essential components of the management plan.
c. Encourage safe and enjoyable use of the Sanctuary compatible with other sanctuary objectives. Encourage compatible use of live bottom areas both within and outside of the sanctuary area.
d. Establish a means to monitor sanctuary use and resource quality over time to minimize potential user conflicts and environmental degradation.
e. Collaborate with other public and private organizations to promote communication and cooperation between sanctuary management and various sanctuary user groups.
f. Review the effectiveness of the Sanctuary Administration Plan on an annual basis and initiate changes as necessary.