SIMoN is an integrated, long-term program that takes an ecosystem approach to identify and understand changes within sanctuaries managed by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. SIMoN provides resource managers with the information needed for effective decision-making and promotes an unparalleled basic understanding of the complex and unique marine processes within the California Current ecosystem. By gathering summary metadata from on-going, recently completed and historic monitoring and research projects within sanctuaries, SIMoN facilitates the critical but often overlooked communication between researchers, resource managers, educators and the public.

SIMoN provides sanctuary staff a powerful tool to quickly access summary information on hundreds of monitoring and research programs. Sanctuary staff also seeks to increase the effective use of scientific research by integrating existing programs and identifying gaps in information. To avoid duplicating programs and leverage available resources, managers must first know what has been done in the past and which programs continue to collect data. With this knowledge, managers can more effectively target their limited resources on surveying and characterizing under-studied habitats, assessing the impact of natural processes or human activities on specific resources, and implement relevant, long-term monitoring programs.

Finally, SIMoN serves to make the monitoring data available to managers, decision makers, the research community, and the general public. SIMoN serves as a hub for initiating and integrating data collecting efforts and disseminating information.

SIMoN Goals Develop a database to track current and historic monitoring programs Integrate existing monitoring programs conducted in the Sanctuary to provide a synoptic overview of this marine ecosystem Initiate basic surveys or characterizations of all sanctuary habitats and regions Establish a series of long-term monitoring efforts to fill in critical information gaps Initiate specific, question-driven monitoring efforts with fixed durations Provide timely and pertinent information to managers and decision makers, the research community, and the general public via a web site and other venues