The State of the Bay 2015 (SOTB) report, produced by the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program (SMBNEP) over a five-year period, was released on Jan. 7.

The SOTB report is a science-based, comprehensive assessment of the environmental conditions of Santa Monica Bay and its watershed. The report’s primary goals are to measure progress in restoring the bay’s natural habitats and resources, educate the public about the bay’s valuable natural resources and identify the challenges facing scientists and managers who protect the bay and its watershed.

The report celebrates progress in water resources management and improving habitat conditions as a result of restoration efforts. It also examines the work still to be done in those areas and identifies emerging issues that need to be addressed in the next five years.

The report was primarily prepared by SMBNEP’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), a group of experts in their respective fields who apply the best available science and management strategies.

They determined that most habitats in most areas of the bay and its watershed are degraded to varying degrees due to human disturbance. With a continuously growing population, it would be nearly impossible for that not to be the case, according to the report, which covers freshwater aquatic and riparian habitats, coastal wetlands, sandy shores, rocky intertidal zones, rocky reefs, soft-bottom benthos, and coastal pelagic habitats.

Key findings of the report determined that restoration efforts in habitats such as Malibu Lagoon and Palos Verdes Kelp Forest have resulted in marked improvements in ecosystem structure and function. Levels of harmful bacteria found on beaches in Santa Monica Bay have been greatly reduced during dry weather conditions due to efforts to reduce runoff and improve water quality.

Agencies and organizations working in the bay are increasingly coordinating to improve water resources management. Beaches as habitats are greatly affected by human traffic and beach grooming, and man-made barriers provide limited protection for beaches in the face of rising seas and increased storms, leaving private and public infrastructure vulnerable.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of TAC members and many local experts, this SOTB report is our clearest view yet of the condition of the natural resources in Santa Monica Bay,” said Professor Richard Ambrose, of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Department of Environmental Health Science, who chaired the TAC.  “This latest report uses more data and a clearer process for determining the condition of the bay’s habitats, and provides a scientific foundation for ongoing and future efforts to protect and enhance the bay.”

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