Marine Resource Assessment for Marine Protected Areas: ROV-Based Deep Water Exploratory Survey at Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area
2010. Marine Resource Assessment for Marine Protected Areas: ROV-Based Deep Water Exploratory Survey at Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Pacific States Marine Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Game
The state of California is in the process of implementing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that are intended to protect marine ecosystems. Under the Marine Life Protection Act, monitoring is required to ensure that MPA networks meet the stated goals, facilitate adaptive management, and improve the understanding of marine ecosystems. In 2007, the central coast study region was the first of five statewide study regions to complete the Marine Life Protection Act planning and implementation process with the creation of 29 MPAs. In May 2010 the north central coast study region will become the second region, with the creation of 30 MPAs, extending from Alder Creek, near Point Arena in Mendocino County, south to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County. The National Parks Service (NPS) at Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA) have received funding to promote collaborative MPA assessments that will aid in future MPA design and consideration, while providing insight to NPS and other agencies implementing MPAs in the future. The goal of this program is to produce a three-year baseline of finfish density and habitats both inside and outside of newly implemented MPAs in the north central region. Funding provided by NPS to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) over the three year period (2009-2011) will supplement a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)-based MPA monitoring program initiated at the northern Channel Islands in 2003 by the California Department of Fish and Game (Department), The Nature Conservancy, and Marine Applied Research and Exploration. Year one funding was used to support exploratory surveys of potential study areas from Tomales Point to Duxbury Point. Year two and three funding will support quantitative MPA baseline data collection within the north central region. Funding will specifically support survey efforts at selected sites in areas adjacent to PORE and GOGA.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Date of Issue
- 2010-04-30
- Publisher
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Game
- Units
- GOGA , PORE
- Keywords
- Deep Water, Finfish, marine, Marine Life Protection Act, Marine Protected Area, MPA, Oceans, ROV, Spatial Data Maps
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities