[CINC] Great News for Sharks and Other Marine Life

[Deb4nb at aol.com]

_http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_11987915_ 
(http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_11987915)    
New protections now in place for great white sharks, other marine life
_By Mark Prado_ (mailto:mprado at marinij.com?subject=ContraCostaTimes.com: 
New protections now in place for great white sharks, other marine life) 
 
Great white sharks, seagrass in Tomales Bay and other parts of the aquatic 
environment off Marin's coast will enjoy more protection under new federal 
rules that took effect this month. 
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees federal 
marine sanctuaries, developed the regulatory changes after years of study, 
planning and public comment.  
As part of the changes, great white sharks are now protected from people 
who want to get a closer look at them. There is now a prohibition against 
getting closer than 50 meters - or 164 feet - of a white shark within 2 nautical 
miles of the Farallon Islands. The rule also bans the practice of using 
decoys or chum to lure sharks.  
"We have had cases where people in vessels come charging up to the sharks, 
scaring them away from food they have just caught," said Mary Jane Schramm, 
spokeswoman for the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. "These 
activities threaten the health of the species."  
Tomales Bay's seagrass, which helps species such as herring, will get 
special protection. Seven buoys will be placed in the bay to protect eelgrass and 
other seagrasses so boaters do not drop anchor or moor over the areas, 
which can damage the grasses or prevent them from getting sun.  
The grasses help trap sediment, reduce nutrients and pollutants in the 
water and improve water quality. Seagrass also provides important habitat for 
migratory birds, such as shorebirds.  
The seagrass grows along the perimeter of parts of the bay, usually in 
shallow waters up to 10 feet deep.  
Marin has two parks just a short boat ride away: the Gulf of the Farallones 
is a 1,255-square-mile area made up of tidal flats, rocky intertidal areas, 
wetlands, subtidal reefs and coastal beaches. The sanctuary is home to 
thousands of seals and sea lions, hosts great white sharks and the largest 
concentration of breeding seabirds in the continental United States.  
The Cordell Bank Sanctuary sits beyond the Gulf of the Farallones, 52 miles 
northwest of Marin's coast, at the edge of the continental shelf. It 
encompasses 526 square miles. Endangered humpback whales, porpoises, albatross and 
marine species flourish in the marine environment. Part of the Monterey Bay 
Sanctuary also bumps up against coastal Southern Marin.  
Other new rules for sanctuaries prohibit:  
- Harmful discharges from cruise ships and other large vessels.  
- Discharges beyond the boundaries of the sanctuaries that enter and damage 
the sanctuaries' resources.  
- Abandoning vessels.  
- Introducing non-native species.  
- Disturbing or killing sensitive wildlife like marine mammals, seabirds 
and sea turtles.  
"They have been working on the regulations for some time and put a lot of 
effort into it," said Terri Watson of San Rafael, executive director for the 
Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. "I'm confident they heard all the 
issues from all sides."  
Sanctuary officials will work with the U.S. Coast Guard as well as 
researchers to help enforce the new rules. Violations are subject to citations and 
fines.  
"There are many things affecting the sanctuaries: tourism, proposals for 
wave energy, invasive species, oil spills, they need to be better protected," 
Schramm said.  
Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at _mprado at marinij.com_ 
(mailto:mprado at marinij.com) 
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