PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Andrew Lauermann (Marine Applied Research & Exploration)
CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Nicholas Perkins (University of Tasmania)
ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATORS: Johnathan Centoni (Marine Applied Research & Exploration), Greta Goshorn (Marine Applied Research & Exploration), Kyle Palmer (Marine Applied Research & Exploration), Samuel Parker (Marine Applied Research & Exploration), Dirk Rosen (Marine Applied Research & Exploration),
PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR: California Sea Grant
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:
This project will continue to monitor mid-depth rocky reef habitats in California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This project will continue to monitor sites historically sampled from 2005 to 2024 using ROVs. The same sampling design and post-processing methods from 2005 to 2024 will also be used for consistency. Data collected by the ROV will include a forward-facing HD camera, a downward-facing camera (overlapping slightly), and two stereo cameras for accurate size estimates. Along with imaging, the ROV will collect data on depth, temperature, salinity and dissolved O2. Tracking these conditions inside and outside of the mid-depth rocky reef habitats will help inform California's assessment of MPA connectivity, including density and size distributions statewide. All data collected during this two-year, statewide assessment will be added to the previous analyses performed by the project PIs and submitted to the state for MPA monitoring review.
Below is a map showing the marine protected areas selected for long-term monitoring in 2025 and 2026:
