PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:
This project monitors marine life in nine California marine protected areas from Bodega Head to La Jolla using inexpensive remote underwater video (RUV) systems equipped with stereo video cameras, evaluates how these areas are performing in protecting marine ecosystems and provides guidance to the state on long-term monitoring plans for its marine protected area network.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
California established a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) under the Marine Life Protection Act to safeguard the abundance, biodiversity and ecological integrity of marine ecosystems. This project focuses on monitoring mid-depth rocky reef ecosystems. These habitats, found at depths of 30 meters or more, are home to a high diversity of rockfish and other fish and invertebrate species. However, they remain understudied compared to shallower nearshore areas.
Using inexpensive remote underwater video (RUV) systems equipped with stereo video cameras deployed from research vessels, the project team will survey the abundance and diversity of fish and invertebrate communities at nine MPAs from Bodega Head in the north to La Jolla in the south. They'll also monitor adjacent reference sites outside of the MPAs for comparison. By analyzing this video data, they can assess potential benefits of MPAs for protecting deep rocky reef species that were once overfished.
In addition to collecting valuable monitoring data, this project will inform the development of long-term strategies for evaluating MPA performance in deep rocky habitats. The researchers will collaborate with state agencies to incorporate their findings into future MPA monitoring action plans. This will help ensure effective conservation and adaptive management of these unique but vulnerable marine ecosystems.