1. Regional Monitoring Program Benefits and Challenges For The Future Scientific Community Perspective Andrew J. Gunther Vice President, Applied Marine Sciences, Inc. Founding RMP Program Manager, 1993-1996

2. Valuable RMP Characteristics Truth Seeking Truth Seeking Committed to Learning Committed to Learning Committed to Teaching Committed to Teaching

3. Benefits of the RMP Integrate research-quality science into public decision-making Integrate research-quality science into public decision-making Enable direct dialogue between scientists and stakeholders Enable direct dialogue between scientists and stakeholders Support students/laboratories Support students/laboratories Cooperative research Cooperative research

4. Challenges for the Future Maintain scientific quality of program Maintain scientific quality of program Draw national attention, participation, and funding to the RMP Draw national attention, participation, and funding to the RMP Maintain commitment to long-term goals Maintain commitment to long-term goals Maintain confidence in the data archive Maintain confidence in the data archive