Hydrographic observations in Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing Harbor, California, October 1970 to November 1971. Annual report, Part 3, July 1972

In October 1970, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories began an observational program to determine/the seasonal changes in the water chemistry of Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing Harbor. This data report contains the first year of data (October 1970 - November 1971). These data are of immediate interest in determining the flushing and mixing mechanisms of the slough and in establishing the effect that local domestic and industrial effluents have on the distribution of these chemical parameters. (Document contains 78 Pages)

Oceanographic Observations in Monterey Bay, California, January 1972 to April 1973: Annual Report, Part 3, 1973

This report completes the hydrographic data series obtained during 27 monthly oceanographic cruises in Monterey Bay. This oceanographic study was initiated under a grant from the Office of Sea Grant Programs, and the data collection began in February 1971. In September 1971 additional funding was received from the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments. The data obtained during 1971 have been published previously (Broenkow 1972), and some initial interpretation of this work has been reported by Smethie (1973), Broenkow and Smethie (1973), and Oceanographic Services, Inc. (1973). (PDF contains 336 pages)

A report of biological observations at Topanga artificial reef and Santa Monica Bay artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 25 pages)

Observations of the biological communities at Bolsa Chica artificial reef

Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef (BCAR) was constructed in November 1986 with 10,400 tons of concrete rubble and eight concrete and steel barges. Prior to any additional augmentation of BCAR, the u.s. Army Corps of Engineers and the California Coastal Commission required the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to survey the bioloqical communities on and around BCAR. In April 1992, qualitative surveys of the biological communities were conducted on one of the eight modules at BCAR and at a nearby sand-only site. One of the modules, Module D, located in 90 feet of water (MLLW), was surveyed for fish, macroinvertebrates, and turf community organisms (small plants and sessile animals). Twelve species of fish were observed, including kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) and barred sand bass (P. nebulifer). Eight macroinvertebrate species were observed, rock scallops (Crassedoma giganteum) being the most abundant. The turf community was comprised of thirteen invertebrate taxa, among which erect ectoprocts (Bugula spp.) were the most numerous. Two species of foliose red algae (Rhodymenia pacifica and Anisocladella pacifica) were also observed. The reef has reached an advanced stage of successional development with fish and invertebrate communities diverse and well established. However, due,.to its depth and the turbidity of surrounding waters, this reef is not likely to ever support a diverse algal community. The diversity and abundance of fish and macroinvertebrates were, as to be expected, much lower in the nearby sand-only site. Only two species of fish and seven macroinvertebrate species were observed. Of these, only the sea pen, Stylatula elongata, was common. Overall, when compared to nearby sand-only habitats, Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef appears to contribute substantially to the local biological productivity. In addition, the concrete rubble used in BCAR' s construction appears to be performing as well as the quarry rock used in all of CDFG's experimental reefs. (Document pdf contains 22 pages)

A report of biological observations at Pacific Beach artificial reef, Oceanside artificial reef, and Santa Monica Bay artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 16 pages)

A report of biological observations at Oceanside #1 and #2 artificial reefs, Carlsbad artificial reef, Pacific Beach artificial reef, and Mission Bay Park artificial reef

(Document pdf contains 22 pages)

Observations of deep coral and sponge assemblages in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington. Cruise Report: NOAA Ship McArthur II Cruise AR06-07/07

From May 22 to June 4, 2006, NOAA scientists led a research cruise using the ROPOS Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to conduct a series of dives at targeted sites in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) with the goal of documenting deep coral and sponge communities. Dive sites were selected from areas for which OCNMS had side scan sonar data indicating the presence of hard or complex substrate. The team completed 11 dives in sanctuary waters ranging from six to 52 hours in length, at depths ranging from 100 to 650 meters. Transect surveys were completed at 15 pre-selected sites, with additional observations made at five other sites. The survey locations included sites both inside and outside the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Conservation Area, known as Olympic 2, established by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, enacted on June 12, 2006. Bottom trawling is prohibited in the Olympic 2 Conservation Area for nontribal fishermen. The Conservation Area covers 159.4 square nautical miles or about 15 percent of the sanctuary. Several species of corals and sponges were documented at 14 of the 15 sites surveyed, at sites both inside and outside the Conservation Area, including numerous gorgonians and the stony corals Lophelia pertusa and Desmophyllum dianthus, as well as small patches of the reef building sponge Farrea occa. The team also documented Lophelia sp. and Desmophyllum sp. coral rubble, dead gorgonians, lost fishing gear, and other anthropogenic debris, supporting concerns over potential risks of environmental disturbances to coral health. (PDF contains 60 pages.)

Observations on the spawning of four species on tuna (Neothunnus macropterus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Auxis thazard and Euthynnus lineatus) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, based on the distribution of their larvae and juveniles

ENGLISH: Knowledge of spawning habits is useful in the elucidation of the life history, ecology and population structure of tropical tunas, and is essential to the sound management of these resources. Until recently, little was known concerning the spawning of tunas, or about the distribution of their larval and juvenile stages, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Nichols and Murphy (1944) reported the capture off Colombia of young scombroids ultimately identified as frigate mackerel, Auxis thazard (Schaefer and Marr, 1948a). Fowler (1944) reported the capture off Manzanillo, Mexico of two young tunas, one of which is definitely and the other most likely Neothunnus macropterus (Klawe, 1959). In 1947, young of N. macropterus, K. pelamis, A. thazard and E. lineatus were caught offshore from Central America (Schaefer and Marr, 1948a, 1948b, and Schaefer, 1948). Further collections of young N. macropterus, A. thazard and E. lineatus were made in the same general area in the spring of 1949 (Mead, 1951). In January and February 1955, Clemens (1956) carried Out experiments in rearing young tunas, E. lineatus and A. thazard, in shipboard aquaria, using fish caught off Central America. Matsumoto (1958) reported captures of larval N. macropterus and K. pelamis in the area along the 120th meridian of west longitude. Klawe (1958 and 1961b) reported captures of larval N. macropterus and Auxis from the Revillagigedo Islands. Captures of young Auxis and E. lineatus in the Gulf of Panama in January 1922 during the Dana Expedition have recently been reported by Matsumoto (1959). Capture of juveniles of K. pelamis, E. lineatus and Auxis in the area off tropical Mexico and in the area of outlying islands during the SCOT Expedition has been reported by Klawe (1960a). SPANISH: El conocimiento sobre los hábitos del desove es útil para el esclarecimiento de la historia natural, ecología y estructura de las poblaciones de atunes tropicales, y es esencial para la acertada administración de estos recursos. Hasta hace poco tiempo no se sabía mucho sobre el desove de los atunes o acerca de la distribución de sus larvas y juveniles en el Océano Pacífico Oriental. Nichols y Murphy (1944) informaron sobre la captura frente a Colombia de escómbridos jóvenes últimamente identificados como melva, Auxis thazard (Schaefer y Marr, 1948a). Fowler (1944) también informó sobre la captura de dos atunes jóvenes frente a Manzanillo, México, uno de los cuales era definitivamente Neothunnus macropterus y el otro era lo más probable que también lo fuera (Klawe, 1959). En 1947 se capturaron especímenes juveniles de N. macropterus, K. pelamis, A. thazard y E. lineatus frente a la América Central (Schaefer y Marr, 1948a, 1948b, y Schaefer, 1948). Otras recolecciones de ejemplares jóvenes de N. macropterus, A. thazard y E. lineatus fueron hechas en la misma área general durante la primavera de 1949 (Mead, 1951). En enero y febrero de 1955, Clemens (1956) efectuó experimentos de crianza de atunes jóvenes, E. lineatus y A.. thazard, en acuarios a bordo para lo que empleó peces capturados frente a la América Central. Matsumoto (1958) informó sobre capturas de larvas de N. macropterus y K. pelamis en el área a lo largo del meridiano 120 de longitud oeste. Klawe (1958 y 1961b) ha dado cuenta también de capturas de larvas de N. macropterus y Auxis en las Islas Revillagigedo. Matsumoto (1959) ha informado recientemente acerca de capturas de ejemplares jóvenes de Auxis y E. lineatus en el Golfo de Panamá en enero de 1922 durante la Expedición Dana. Klawe (1960a) informó así mismo que durante la Expedición SCOT se capturaron juveniles de K. pelamis, E. lineatus y Auxis en el área frente a la zona tropical de México y en la región de las islas alejadas del continente.

Observations on the life history and identity of intraspecific groups of the anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus, in Montijo Bay and Chiriquí Province, Panama

ENGLISH: Howard and Landa (1958) and Barrett and Howard (1961) have studied the life history of the anchoveta in most of the areas where this species occurs in important quantities. The Gulf of Panama was the only area of Panama included in these studies, as this was the only one from which sufficient samples were available. Berdegue (1958) compared certain meristic and morphometric characters of anchovetas from Montijo Bay and nine other areas of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. He found statistically significant differences, and concluded that the fish of the different areas belonged to separate "populations." Fish from Chiriquí province were not included in his study. Since the, completion of the above-mentioned studies, a number of collections of anchovetas from Montijo Bay and Chiriquí province have been obtained. In the present report use is made of this material to determine the salient facts regarding the life history of the anchoveta from these areas and to supplement the available knowledge of the identity of the intraspecific groups. Acknowledgment is extended to Dr. Milner B. Schaefer, formerly Director of Investigations, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (now Director, Institute of Marble Resources, University of California), Mr. Clifford L. Peterson, Assistant Director of Investigations, and Mr. Edward F. Klima (now with the U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries) for advice and assistance rendered to the project. The shrimp-boat samples were collected by Captains Robert Barrett, Stephen Barrett, and Chester McLean. SPANISH: Howard y Landa (1958) y Barrett y Howard (1961) han estudiado la historia natural de la anchoveta en la mayoría de las áreas en donde esta especie aparece en cantidades importantes. El Golfo de Panamá es la única area de Panamá incluida en estos estudios, ya que es la única de la cual hubo suficientes muestras disponibles. Berdegué (1958) camparó ciertos caracteres merístieos y morfométricos de la anehoveta del Golfo de Montijo y otras nueve áreas del Océano Pacífico Oriental Tropical. Encontró diferencias estadísticamente significativas e hizo la conclusión de que los peces de las diferentes áreas pertenecían a "poblaciones" separadas. Los peces de la Provincia de Chiriquí no fueron incluidos en su estudio. Desde la terminación de los estudios antes meneionados se obtuvieron varias recolecciones de anchovetas del Golfo de Montijo y de la Provincia de Chiriquí. En el presente informe se usó este material para determinar los hechos sobresalientes referentes a la historia natural de la anchoveta de estas áreas y suplir el conocimiento disponible de la identidadde los grupos intraespecíficos. Se hace extensivo un reconocimiento al Dr. Milner B. Schaefer, antiguo director de investigaciones de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical (ahora director del Institute of Marine Resources, University of California), al Sr. Clifford L. Peterson, asistente del director de investigaciones, y al Sr. Edward F. Klima (ahora can el U. S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries) por su consejo y ayuda prestados en este proyecto. Las muestras de los barcos camaroneros fueron reeolectadas por los capitanes Robert Barrett, Stephen Barrett y Chester McLean

Control of California sea lion predation of winter-run steelhead at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle, December 1985-April 1986 with observations on sea lion abundance and distribution in Puget Sound

A study/predation control program was conducted at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington from 20 December through 23 April 1986. The principal objectives were to document the rate and effects of predation on winter-run steelhead (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) by California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); to control and minimize predation in order to increase the escapement of wild winter-runs to the Lake Washington watershed; to evaluate and recommend potential long term procedures for control of steelhead predation; and to document the abundance and distribution of California sea lions in Puget Sound.

Some observations on seasonal variations in plankton population Patuxent River, Maryland 1943-1945

In directly, phytoplankton serves as food for all aquatic animals since it is at the base of the food chain in which the phytoplankton-feeding animals are eaten by larger animals and these in turn are consumed by still larger forms. Hence, it becomes evident that the phytoplankton, its presence, and seasonal variations are of great importance. The report at hand is based on a record of the variations in the plankton population of surface waters at a single station, where collections were made biweekly from September 1943 through September 1945. The station chosen was in the channel of the Patuxent River, Maryland, near its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, about midway between the head and the mouth of the Bay. (PDF contains 31 pages)

Observations on the taxonomy, biology, and ecology of the Engraulid and Clupeid fishes in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.

ENGLISH: In 1952 and 1953, during the course of a study of the abrupt decline and apparent disappearance from the Gulf of Nicoya of the population of anchovetas (Cetengraulis mysticetus), an important tuna bait fish, considerable material was collected on the taxonomy, biology, and ecology of the several anchovies and the herrings inhabith1g the Gulf. The Gulf of Nicoya, approximately 50 miles long and varying in width from about 5 to 35 miles, is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The family Engraulididae is represented by four genera comprising fourteen species, and nine species were identified as members of eight genera of the family Clupeidae. All of the species inhabit other coastal areas of the tropical Eastern Pacific. SPANISH: En 1952 Y 1953, durante el curso de un estudio sobre la declinación abrupta y la aparente desaparición en el Golfo de Nicoya de la población de anchovetas (Cetengraulis mysticetus) un pez de importancia para la pesca del atún, se recolectó material considerable relacionado con la taxonomía, biología y ecología de las diversas especies de anchoas y arenques que habitan dicho Golfo. El Golfo de Nicoya, que mide aproximadamente 50 millas de largo y varía en su anchura entre 5 y 35 millas, se encuentra en la costa del Pacífico de Costa Rica. La familia de los Engráulidos está representada por cuatro géneros que comprenden catorce especies, y otras nueve fueron identificadas como miembros de ocho géneros de la familia Clupeidae. Todas estas especies habitan otras áreas costeras del Pacífico Oriental tropical. (PDF contains 144 pages.)

Oceanographic observations from the eastern Pacific Ocean collected by the R/V Shoyo Maru, October 1963 – March 1964

ENGLISH: The Nankai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory of Kochi, Japan conducted a long-line fishery exploration and hydrographic survey in the eastern Pacific Ocean aboard the R/V Shoyo Maru during October 1963- March 1964. An invitation to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to participate in the cruise gave its investigators the opportunity to make surface biological observations and to preserve water samples for subsequent analyses of nutrients. The result of this survey is a comprehensive body of physical, chemical and biological data covering a large portion of the eastern half of the Pacific Ocean. SPANISH: El Nankai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory de Rochi, Japón, llevó a cabo una exploración pesquera con palangre y un reconocimiento hidrográfico en el Océano Pacífico oriental, a bordo del barco de investigación Shoyo Maru, desde octubre de 1963 hasta marzo de 1964. Una invitación dirigida a la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical para participar en el crucero, confirió a sus investigadores la oportunidad de hacer observaciones biológicas superficiales y conservar muestras de agua para el subsiguiente análisis de los nutrientes. El resultado de este reconocimiento es un conjunto de datos físicos, químicos y biológicos que abarcan una gran parte del sector medio oriental del Océano Pacífico. (PDF contains 153 pages.)

Oceanographic Profiling and Spectroradiometer Observations from the MOCE-1 Cruise: 28 August to 8 October 1992

This report contains the frrst observations made for the Modis Optical Characterization Experiment (MOCE). Data presented here were obtained on the R/V DeSteiguer between 28 August and 8 October along the central California coast and in Monterey Bay. Three types of data are reported here: high spectral resolution radiometry at three depths for seven stations; salinity, temperature, fluorescence and beam attenuation profiles at the same stations; and total suspended matter and suspended organic carbon and nitrogen. [PDF contans 164 pages]