Comments:
Where are we with the working with local fishers on marine resource
use at and around RR? (page 4).  Would other members of the RRPAB have
this information more readily available?
I'm curious, what groups represented in the RRPAB have defined roles
post-MPA designation?  I mean, once the board dissolves, how will
these groups interact with respect to the protection, etc. of Race
Rocks?
On Ecosystem Classification, I would like to see Zacharias et al.
1999.  Having worked on the algal community composition specifically,
and repeated and long-term experience with sub-tidal observations
here, I find the lumping of Race Rocks into the SJF group misleading.
While the waters outside the reserve (I'm thinking Whirl Bay/Becher
Bay) have significant Egregia cover, it is not a species typically
observed here.  Notice Egregia is not on the species list in the
Appendix.  I assume, like the LUCO scheme, this biotope scheme is too
general to capture significant understanding of the Race Rocks
ecosystem and why it is important to protect.
Page 11 could mention our new air temperature and precipitation
monitoring which is not proprietary with EC.
Page 16 good that the vertical mixing is identified as the basis for
the productivity and biodiversity of Race Rocks.  Though as we move
forward in this process it is important to move beyond the Zacharias
and Roff (2000) physical approach (not cited in the review) and
include the reciprocal links between ecological processes,
anthropogenic threats, and management options in our conservation
strategy.  Any monitoring program will need to continually track
biotic interactions and socioeconomic issues to be effective in
conserving the marine diversity at Race Rocks.
Page 24 with respect to the Coastal Resource Oil Spill Response Atlas
for the Southern Straight of Georgia I am curious about the low or
very low ranking of Race Rocks for Black Oystercatchers.  I believe
the annual Christmas bird counts regularly show large densities of
this species, and it is not unusual during the winter months to see
50+ in a single aggregation.  Also, with up to 5 nesting pairs
observed at Great Race, this species' makes year-round use of the
habitat here.  Of course this is not to suggest a revision of the
Atlas, but rather re-emphasize Wright and Pringle's message that the
science at Race Rocks is often weak, with large gaps in our knowledge
base.
Page 40 cites that there are no qualitative or quantitative fish
surveys for Race Rocks.  I have recently been asked for such data as
it would be one of the most powerful tools to bring to the public
concerning the effectiveness of the reserve.  As the waters
surrounding Race Rocks are now an RCA, a monitoring program designed
to assess the stocks in the RCA and the recovery (?) of stocks around
the RCA should be a high priority to both evaluate the conservation
strategies in place and demonstrate to the public what role the RCA
and proposed MPA is doing to conserve and protect the ecological
integrity of the marine ecosystem, the Rockfish species, and the Race
Rocks habitat.
Appendix 5 lists fishes observed or known to be at Race Rocks.  I
would suggest the addition of Acipenser (sturgeon)... I believe DFO
decided the fish observed was Acipenser medirostris.
Page 44 needs to be updated.  The section on Northern Elephant seals
should include reference to the pups born on Middle Rock and Great
Race Island.  Race Rocks is the only known breeding colony of this
species in Canadian territory.
Page 45 does not accurately represent recent observations of Steller
sea lions at Race Rocks.  The frequent and intensive surveys done by
LGL to monitor the impact of DND blasting on Bentinck Island give a
better picture of Steller sea lion abundance and timing of use of the
Race Rocks habitat.  To say individuals begin to arrive in September
is contrary my experience with hundreds already present in August.
Page 46 does not reflect current observations of California sea lions
at Race Rocks.  Female California sea lions were frequently observed
here this past year (September and October 2009).
Page 47: Dall's porpoises have been observed in Pedder Bay.
Page 52: I second the commendation for Race Rocks as an ideal site to
monitor exotic/invasive plankton.  With the daily seawater
temperature/salinity measurements, samples could be readily prepared
by Pearson College's Eco-Guardian(s).  However, support for sample
analysis would be needed.
Page 53: I also second the warning that Race Rocks is prone to
poaching.  The majority of illegal fishing infractions do occur during
the summer months, with poaching occurring on a weekly basis.  The
first observed infraction this year was in early February, the CCGS
Port Atlin responded and documented.  This past summer Race Rocks was
repeatedly targeted by one group of poachers and we were supported by
the Oak Bay Marine Group (Pedder Bay Marina) who subsequently refused
to allow them access to their rental boats.  There is also the issue
of the traditional use.  A legitimate traditional use fisher left the
reserve when hailed on VHF by the relief Eco Guardians during the
summer months while a group of Asian-Canadians claimed to have
traditional use rights when queried about their fishing activities
(they snagged bottom so often that they ran out of fishing gear).  In
a concluding note, the year-round recreational fishers are rarely if
ever sighted in the reserve, giving it wide berth to and from their
fishing grounds.  These same boaters are some of the most responsible
when it comes to mid-channel viewing of the marine mammals, reduced
speed in and around the reserve, etc.  In my experience it is the
boat-rental, new-to-boating/fishing demographics that are the outright
majority when it comes to poaching in the reserve, and it is here
where RCA and Ecological Reserve "no-take" messages need to me more
actively directed.
As an ecological overview that mentions poaching, the impact on marine
mammals by management activities, eco tours, recreational boaters,
military exercises, and military, CG and civilian aircraft should be
noted as well.  A comprehensive survey is completed by LGL each year.

Notice:
Page 3: presently Ryan Murphy
http://www.islandnet.com/~temexw/land.htm is a dead link
Page 4:
http://www.islandnet.com/~temexw.htm also dead

Typographical:
Page 2: "continually updates" should read "continually updated"
Page 4: Xwayen and other specialized FN text does not appear in my .pdf reader
Page 22: "bioata" should be "biota"
Page 32: "Ballanophylla" should be "Ballanophyllia"
Page 32 and throughout: "droenbachiensis" should read "droebachiensis"
Page 40: "know way" should read "no way"
Page 45 and throughout: "stellar" should be "Steller"
Page 53: "forbirthing" should read "for birthing"