MPA Watch, an Effort to Moni- Substantive Nod to the Efforts of of the Society

OceanBights ______Happenings sending in retrieved instruments. The web site where the data are stored has been re- As usual, the Catalina vamped to reflect the larger Marine Society has been very number of sites and datasets. busy. We participated in the Our other field effort, the Catalina Dynamic Ocean Aquarium of the Pacific Diver Catalina Marine Society Day and in their Citizen Science Chemistry (CDOC, “sea doc”) 15954 Leadwell St Symposium. And of course, we Van Nuys, CA 91406 were at the SCUBA Show, all www.catalinamarinesociety.org taking place in Long Beach. Not in Long Beach was our first out- Publication Committee of the country presentation Michael Doran made in Croatia. Karen Norris We made a change to Craig Gelpi our mission statement, includ- effort is composed of two parts:

ing the word “conservation” as a depth profiling component Editor there is much interest in con- and a scientific mooring one. Craig Gelpi serving our environment and Depth profiling has been very

many of our research activities active and the mooring effort is OceanBights is published by the are designed to help us under- becoming so and is described in Catalina Marine Society. It is stand our ocean so we can con- a separate article. distributed free of charge to those interested in the Society’s serve it. Note that both of our activities. The Society holds Following that theme, field programs have received copyright to all articles within we have an article in this issue funding from philanthropic and they cannot be reproduced by Angela Kemsley, describing foundations this year. This is a without the written permission MPA Watch, an effort to moni- substantive nod to the efforts of of the Society. tor the newly established Ma- our volunteers, who “bring rine Protected Areas. These are home the data-bacon”. The Catalina Marine Society is a described for Santa Catalina in Finally, in 2018 CMS nonprofit membership corpora- detail in the article. made scientific presentations in tion founded in 2009 in Los An- Data are pouring in from Portland, Pomona, La Jolla and, geles to marshal volunteer resources to study the marine envi- our field activities. The David as alluded to, Dubrovnik. Scien- ronment of Santa Catalina Island Tsao Continental Thermograph tists from throughout the world and the Southern California Array (DTCTA) has expanded are exposed to, and applaud, our Bight. and volunteers are regularly activities and achievements.

Submissions. The magazine may publish submitted articles that pertain to our mission state- Amazon supports CMS! ment. Contact the e-mail address below for more information. The Amazon Smile program donates a portion of its

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OceanBights ______MPA Watch: Take tivities within biologically im- a Walk on the Beach portant areas. These “underwa- ter parks” not only protect the and Help Protect Cata- biodiversity and abundance of lina’s Marine Protected marine life, but also provide Areas amazing opportunities for snor- Angela Kemsley kelers, surfers, kayakers, divers, beachgoers, fishers, and anyone else who loves hanging out at

the beach by providing some of Close your eyes for a the best recreational opportuni- moment and imagine a scientist. ties in the state. What do you see? Is it a man with crazy hair and a lab coat? California now Is it someone who looks noth- boasts the largest integrated ing like you? This idea that sci- network of MPAs in the ence is done by someone else, Angela Kemsley world. Through a network of that it is not a part of our every- 124 sites managed by the Cali- day lives, is prevalent in our fornia Department of Fish and society. In reality, however, to (MPA) Watch, in an effort to Wildlife (CDFW), MPAs now see a scientist all you have to do protect one of California’s most protect over sixteen percent, or is look in the mirror. treasured resources...the ocean! 850 miles, of the California California is amazing. California’s coastal and coast and near-shore waters. And huge. So huge that profes- marine ecosystems are some of Catalina Island is home sional scientists just cannot col- the most iconic and important to nine MPAs which fall into lect all of the data they need by resources in the state and con- three categories: themselves. To this end, profes- tribute greatly to the history, sional scientists have begun re- identity, and economy of the 1) State Marine Reserve (SMR) cruiting the largest and most area. Unfortunately these same – Taking, damaging, injuring, powerful workforce in the ecosystems are also some of the or possessing any marine re- world...the general public! most exploited and without source (living, geological or Through a field known as citi- proper care their long-term cultural) is prohibited. Recrea- zen science, increasingly being health is in jeopardy. tional activities are encouraged. referred to as community sci- Recognizing the need to Catalina Island has one SMR: ence, professional scientists are safeguard California’s coastal Long Point.next page joining forces with everyday and marine ecosystems the state people to collect and analyze legislature passed the Marine CMS in Croatia and real scientific data on every- Life Protection Act (MLPA) in thing from birds to DNA to hu- 1999. This act aims to protect elsewhere man use of natural resources. California’s precious marine WILDCOAST, an inter- resources by creating a The Catalina Marine national team that conserves statewide network of marine Society made its first presenta- coastal and marine ecosystems protected areas (MPAs). tion outside the United States and wildlife, coordinates one Just as state and national last October. Although we rou- such innovative, impactful, and parks protect resources on land, tinely present at international enjoyable community science MPAs protect resources in the conferences, this effort repre- project, Marine Protected Area ocean by managing human ac- sented see Croatia pg. 17 3

OceanBights ______2) No-Take State Ma- SMCA. Catalina Island has six in higher biodiversity and rine Conservation Area SMCAs: Arrow Point to Lion abundance than in un- (SMCA) - Taking, damaging, Head, Blue Cavern Offshore, protected areas. Several injuring, or possessing any nat- Lover’s Cove, Farnsworth On- peer-reviewed studies suggest ural resource (living, geological shore, Farnsworth Offshore, and that MPAs, especially no-take or cultural) is prohibited. Cata- Cat Harbor.

Santa Catalina Island MPAs lina Island has two No-Take A full list of MPAs and areas such as SMRs and No- SMCAs: Casino Point and Blue MPA regulations may be found Take SMCAs, are effective at Cavern Onshore. on the CDFW website at restoring and preserving biodi- 3) State Marine Conser- https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Co versity as well as enhancing vation Area (SMCA) - Take, nservation/Marine/MPAs ecosystem resilience. In some including fishing/harvest of MPAs are predicat- instances the biomass of whole some marine resources is per- ed upon the idea that lim- fish assemblages has been ob- mitted. Some consumptive rec- iting consumptive behav- served to be up to 670% greater, reational and commercial activi- on average, in marine reserves ties are allowed at specific loca- ior in biologically im- than in adjacent unprotected tions. Regulations vary by portant areas will result areas. see MPA Watch pg. 12

OceanBights ______The Impacts of Global and loggerhead turtles from Ja- Humboldt Current off western Warming on Upwelling pan. South America. The first hypothesis During the warmer in the California Cur- about how upwelling might be months, Bakun observed that air rent over land warms more rapidly Mary Ann Wilson than air over the ocean, which causes the low-pressure system From southern British over the land to intensify rela- Columbia to the Baja California tive to the high-pressure system Peninsula (with the exception of over water. The increasing pres- the SoCal Bight), winds blow sure gradient between them re- southward along the coast. sults in stronger upwelling- Combined with the rotation of favorable winds. Hence, green- the earth, these winds cause the house warming leads to an ac- surface layer of the ocean to celeration of coastal upwelling. move offshore. Seawater then Since then there have been sev- wells up from beneath the sur- eral studies assessing trends in face to replace the water that upwelling-favorable winds, was pushed away. This deep with mixed results. cold water brings nutrients However in 2014, a co- which are more abundant at herent pattern emerged. William depth than they are at the sur- Sydeman, president and senior face. The sunlit nutrients stimu- scientist at Farallon Institute for late blooms of microscopic phy- Advanced Ecosystem Research, toplankton—the base of the ma- produced a meta-analysis of rine food web—which propa- published studies, each with gate up the food chain to zoo- more than 20 years of observa- plankton, filter feeders, fish, tional or model-derived data. May Ann Wilson marine birds, top predators, and Results showed this upwelling marine mammals. intensification trend is observed This is the process of affected by climate change was at higher latitudes, specifically upwelling in the California Cur- put forth in 1990 by Andy Ba- the California, Benguela, and rent, a coastal upwelling zone kun, a professor of marine biol- Humboldt upwelling systems, which exists along the edges of ogy and fisheries at the Pew In- which he thought “may reflect eastern boundary currents in the stitute for Ocean Science. He stronger warming trends ob- northeastern Pacific. Its abun- proposed that increasing green- served toward the poles than the dant concentration of phyto- house gas concentrations would equator.”see Impacts pg. 9 plankton renders it among the strengthen winds in the Califor- most productive of the world’s nia Current and similar DTCTA Growing marine ecosystems. Many spe- upwelling systems: the Ben- cies that rely on its food source guela Current off southwestern The David Tsao Conti- live here year-round; others mi- Africa, the Canary Current off nental Thermograph Array con- grate from quite a distance— northwestern Africa including tinues to expand with the Cali- like leatherback turtles from its northern extension off the fornia Science Center starting Papua New Guinea, shearwaters Iberian Peninsula of southwest- and managing more sites, espe- from New Zealand, and tuna ern Europe, and the Peru- cially in northern LA county. In

OceanBights ______addition to the number of sites and then, I have to calculate to about are found. Further math- increasing, the established sites make sure my thinking is cor- ematical manipulations on those continue to yield data. So much rect. Third, I use math as a lan- equations will usually uncover so, that the analysis of the ther- guage. I can convey thoughts the ramifications of my initial mograph data has taken top pri- and information economically, position. Often, those conse- ority among the research goals concisely, and usually with little quences are not obvious, and of CMS. One of the first issues ambiguity. sometimes (more than I care to is to determine the correlation Regarding thinking, I state) they are ridiculous. This of temperatures among nearby know that rigorous mathemati- is a sure indication that my orig- sites. Since most data has been cal procedures, those that are inal thoughts are wrong and collected near Laguna Beach, common, are logical, so that if I they are discreetly discarded. we will determine how Hopefully this experience correlated are the data improves my thinking. there on 12- and 24-hour More often than time scales, i.e., those Thanks to the Max and Victoria Dreyfus not, though, I do not fol- corresponding to tides. Foundation for contributing to our David low a rigorous mathematical procedure in reduc- Tsao Continental Thermograph Array ing equations to new Mathematics and types. Such procedures Me may lead to unbearably complicated forms from Craig Gelpi start with equations that I be- which I cannot see the conse- lieve describe my thoughts on a quences of my starting Mention math to anyone problem, then any formal math- thoughts. Or the mechanical out of high school for longer ematical manipulations I make procedures, though strictly logi- than 2 days and you are likely on these equations will maintain cal, keep unimportant detail that to see a glazed look or a face of the initial information though logically must be there but has fear. But they are not me. I am placed in a new form, a form no significance to what I want one of the few people on earth derived from logical thinking. to learn. who seldom is conscious during This form may be very enlight- For example, if you a day without a thought of an ening and lead to new insights need to determine your retire- equation going through my on the problem. The math can ment income prospects and how head. But I am not thinking of be performed with relatively to save more money from your equations for equations’ sake; little thinking just by following salary, you would analyze your more often than not I am con- procedures we learn in school. income and expenditures. Pre- cerned with a significant prob- However, the first step is cast- sumably you would limit your lem that I am trying to cast into ing the problem into equation analysis to major expenditures a mathematical form. form. and investments and not how But what do I use math These equations will much money you lose in the for? Well, I use it for four dis- include symbols for important washing machine when you tinct purposes. First, I use it to quantities and their relationship leave loose change in your think. Second, I use it to calcu- with other important quantities. pockets. Accounting for the lat- late, i.e., arrive at numbers, Although this sounds like I al- ter, and the resulting interest numbers that can be compared ready know the information I lost or taxes saved over many to intuitive notions or independ- seek, it doesn’t take much effort years can be very complicated, ent measurements. I rather think until the relationships among but I suspect (and hope) that it than calculate, but every now parameters not directly thought has no importance to you. 6

OceanBights ______Most of these complica- age appearing in a circuit. They Math is also a language, tions are generated by keeping need numbers. Numbers which a way of communicating too much detail, and thoughts, some then keeping track of very complex, too much detail until with little ambi- the wealth of detail guity and amazing overwhelms the ma- conciseness. How- jor picture that is the ever, it is a lan- point of my study. guage without the Hence, I try to shed nuances of a lan- as much detail as pos- guage such as sible when I begin English. It is also thinking on a prob- precise, in the lem. If you neglect same way scien- too much detail, then tific nomenclature you may lose sight of of species is pre- the problem you are cise. However, this trying to solve or col- precision does not loquially, throw the allow the interplay baby out with the No useful chemistry, but nice art that normal lan- bath water. Not guage permits. An enough detail, and exclamation point you can’t solve the have meaning. Numbers that symbol in an equa- problem. But more detail is describe safety or cost or tion does not denote excitement. generated the further the prob- schedule. Very important num- I sometimes use math as a lan- lem is worked, so one must bers, indeed. guage, but not often. For math constantly consider and deter- is essentially a secret language, mine what is important to keep accessible to only those who and what can be safely discard- have dedicated significant effort ed. In this way, we can decide to understand it. that the contribution to the Mathematicians, in my 401(K) is important but the dai- view, use math almost as a rec- ly adult beverage need not be reation, building logical struc- sacrificed. By the way, I am al- ture from which they deduce ways surprised by how much interesting results, results that detail people who are just out of often are not seen in the original school keep. Apparently, the structures. When these struc- ability to shed detail is an ac- tures occasionally can be found quired skill that takes consider- to correspond to some bit of able experience. physics, the physicist makes use Engineers and their ilk of the logically-derived results (e.g., financiers) also use math of these structures to obtain to calculate. Engineers have to No celestial physics, but still more information. Indeed, the calculate the effects and safety nice art beauty of a physical law often of their designs, the integrity of comes from its mathematical structures, the robustness of form, which may seem very software, or the expected volt- neat, or the results obtained 7

OceanBights ______from it, which may seem mi- raculous. If the math doesn’t correspond to physics, then the mathematical constructs are simply art or recreation. Examples include the old the- ories of how the platonic sol- ids either corresponded to the fundamental elements, or the distance between the 5 at-the- time, known planets (see the figures). These models didn’t cal structures, began with the when this game is played by pan out. ancient Greeks, the first geeks. few. So, we can enjoy math, In contrast, calculation, the ma- too. This leads to a fourth use of nipulation of numbers, occurred mathematics, as art. The inter- much earlier as driven by the Missing Mussels nal consistency is something to need to conduct business or be admired, it is a thing of beau- build pyramids. CMS president Jim Up- Returning to the first dike and chief scientist Craig purpose of mathe- Gelpi made a successful mussel Student researchers wanted! matics, on the practi- gathering trip to Malibu during cal side, we often see extreme low tide. See how a little correct Vol. 5#1 for a descrip- Want to distinguish yourself thinking saves an in- tion of a typical mussel-hunting credible amount of for job and school applications expedition. Unfortunately, the effort, permits ac- Woolsey fire burned that week and learn useful skills? Con- complishments that to the ocean at the mussel bed sider engaging in a research heretofore seem un- location and several adjacent likely or even impos- structures were lost there. project for CMS. We can tailor sible, and has ena- The mussels were great. a project to meet your sched- bled our technology- However, we got the impression driven world. Many ule and abilities. that the mussel beds were not as of these latter ac- extensive as in years past. When complishments are pictures of past expeditions ty. And the consequences of deadly serious. were consulted, the feeling was starting propositions can be tru- But there is the playful verified. This bed shrinkage is ly amazing and extraordinarily side of this too. Just as the occurring despite the fact that useful. The structures that SCUBA diver takes pride in one local mussel predator, sea mathematicians develop, in my using little air, the ham radio stars, was nowhere to be found. view, are human creations, like operator in achieving distant So the question is, what the Mona Lisa. They would not contacts and the amateur as- is happening to them? Are they exist if mankind did not exist. I tronomer in viewing faint and suffering from the warmer wa- had forgotten about this compo- rare celestial objects, the physi- ter we have been experiencing? nent of mathematics until prepa- cist/mathematical thinking Are they overfished? Will we ration for a trip to the Greek game is to derive as much in- have a source of wild mussels in Islands reminded me. Real formation from as few facts as the future?  mathematics, that is, these logi- possible. Everyone is a winner 8

OceanBights ______Impacts  upwelling favorable wind—will sure gradient forms between the A 2015 study confirmed these move towards the pole (or continental low pressure system findings and projected the trend north, for those of us in the over California (and the desert would continue. Ryan northern hemisphere) as well.” southwest) and the North Pacif- Rykaczewski, a fisheries ocean- What that means for the Cali- ic high-pressure system that is ographer at the University of fornia Current is shown below, found offshore California. By South Carolina, compared esti- in the outline of the west coast Bakun’s account, this should mates of historical greenhouse on the left, with projected increase upwelling-favorable gas concentrations from 1861- changes in upwelling illustrated winds everywhere. But 2005 to projected greenhouse in color. Yellow and red indi- Rykaczewski suggested two gas concentrations from 2006 to cate increased upwelling, which elements were absent from his 2100 if global temperature rises is what Bakun’s hypothesis says hypothesis: 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. That’s we should expect. Blue means1. 1) The influence of humidity the “business as usual” scenar- decreased upwelling. The dotted on atmospheric pressure—that io, which is the worst trajectory areas are where the changes are is, pressure is a function of temperature and humidity, not just temperature alone. 2. 2) The potential movement of the pressure systems. “It’s the movement of the high pressure system that is the most obvious and consistent of these elements, at least in the projections of climate models,” he said. “The actual reason that the high-pressure system moves north is still an area of scientific research, but likely has to do with the increased heating in the From Ryan Rykaczewski tropics and the greater convec- tion that is stimulated as a result.” and the one we’re on. His ana- large enough that it’s statistical- Could the ridiculously lyses of 21 coupled atmosphere- ly significant. In the north resilient ridge (RRR) put the ocean general circulation mod- there’s little to slightly positive brakes on the North Pacific high els showed increased coastal change, but south of the Cali- pressure system? The RRR is an upwelling toward the pole and fornia-Oregon border there’s area of high atmospheric pres- decreased upwelling toward the decreased upwelling. You can sure that has disrupted the equator. “The high-pressure also see it in the plots to the North Pacific storm track since system over the ocean is ex- right—the colored lines repre- 2012. While it is typical for a pected to move towards the pole sent different models and the high-pressure ridge to form over with future global warming,” thick black line is the mean of the West Coast during winter, Rykaczewski said. “This means all those models. which explains why eastward- that the location of the maxi- The scenario is as Bakun moving Pacific storms often mum gradient in pressure—and had described: During the veer north before reaching Cali- hence, the location of strong, warmer months, a strong pres- fornia, this ridge has become

OceanBights ______increasingly persistent and pro- Also, when there’s an abun- east Pacific Ocean in the late nounced since 1948. dance of phytoplankton, those 1990s. Rykaczewski did not that are not eaten eventually die On the other hand, think that the presence of the and sink into deeper waters, weaker upwelling may limit nu- RRR would prevent movement. where bacteria use available trients at the surface, negatively affecting primary production. Thanks to the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Winters with extremely weak Foundation for their continued support of our upwelling are associated with slower growth in fish and lower Catalina Dynamics Ocean Chemistry program. reproductive success for seabirds. “Rather, I think the question is oxygen to decompose them. Studies have shown that whether the presence of the When too much oxygen in the certain species are more sensi- RRR is somehow related to the deep waters is used for this bac- tive to different periods of the poleward movement of the terial decomposition of the phy- year in terms of upwelling. North Pacific High overall,” he Some are more sensitive to the said. “The scientific jury is still variability in the winter-time out. The complication is that upwelling, and some are more things like the RRR are episodic sensitive to the variability in the and last for a period of months, summer-time upwelling. Over while the shift in the high pres- recent decades, the timing of sure system is something that upwelling has trended toward occurs over a period of several later and shorter upwelling sea- decades.” sons in the northern portion of When stronger the California System and long- upwelling-favorable winds oc- er upwelling seasons in the cur, they bring a surge of nutri- southern portion. ents to surface waters. But they However, can also harm marine life by Rykaczewski’s projections causing turbulence in surface show the opposite will happen. waters, disrupting feeding and The next figure shows the same worsening ocean acidification. changes as the previous figure, Ryan Rykaczewski but as a function of the month That’s because upwelled water by Amanda Netburn is naturally rich in carbon diox- of the year along the horizontal axis and the latitude along the ide. The earth’s oceans have toplankton, the result is a condi- already absorbed about a third vertical axis. In the central and tion known as hypoxia. This Northern California coastline, of the CO2 that humans have could harm bottom-dwelling emitted into the atmosphere models project intensification in marine life, shrink open-water April and May (note the strong since the beginning of the In- habitat for top predators, and dustrial Revolution. This in- upwelling beginning in April, increase the number of inva- which may indicate a longer creased CO2 causes upwelled sions by hypoxia-tolerant spe- water to be more acidic, threat- upwelling season). But south of cies like Humboldt Squid, a th ening calcifying species, includ- the 40 parallel (Mendocino) species thought to have benefit- you see a weaker upwelling in ing oysters, clams, sea urchins, ed from an expansion of hypox- shallow water corals, deep sea late July to early August at the ic waters and which rapidly ex- peak of the upwelling season. corals, and calcareous plankton. panded its range into the north- 10

OceanBights ______who machined a heavy-duty housing which supports the sonde on the mooring line. A deployment team was led by Aquarium of the Pacific Assis- tant Dive Safety Officer Desda Sesson and CMS vice president (and AoP and WIES diver) Dirk Burcham. They had to determine requirements, document the proposed diving procedure and have it approved by their respective institutions. Once approved, deployment and re- trievals dates are set and volunteer divers sign up to partici-

From Ryan Rykaczewski

A seasonal-scale change ecosystems respond to even can predict animal distribution small changes in average condi- as well as survivability. For ex- tions of pH and CO2, even with- ample, in 2005 central Califor- in the context of a larger range nia seabirds and rockfish as of natural variability. Even well as Oregon zooplankton more worrisome is that climate were hit hard by a weak and change is likely to produce a delayed upwelling. It was par- combination of stressors for ticularly hard on species whose which we may have no refer- reproductive cycles depend on ence.  early upwelling, rather than the cumulative amount. The north- Mary Ann is a regular contribu- ern portion of the California tor to . Current had one of the most delayed onsets in the 40-year record, and resulted in the repro- CMS Scientific Mooring Mooring as seen from above. Credit: Adam Fram ductive failure of Cassin’s Auk- returns let. It can take a long time CMS has reestablished a for the signal of a trend to be pate. The sonde is calibrated temporary scientific mooring in greater than the natural variabil- and delivered to the team, Two Harbors as part of its Cata- ity that happens on shorter time which transports it to Two Har- lina Dynamic Ocean Chemistry scales. Anthropogenic changes bors, then takes a small boat to (CDOC) program. The mooring in upwelling will emerge pri- the mooring. From there, they is the work of many volunteers. marily in the second half of the dive Many thanks to Ted Sharshan, century. Still, it is apparent that see mooring pg. 16 11

OceanBights ______

Adopt-A-Thermograph Program The CMS is seeking donors and site managers for its Adopt-A- Thermograph program. These sponsors will extend and complete the David Tsao Continental Thermograph Array that is currently under de-

velopment. For more details, contact Karen at [email protected]

or Craig at [email protected].

and recording observed activi- people and boats on the beach ties. The program currently or in the water. Observers count MPA Watch  monitors beaches in half of all and record activities into the The efficacy of MPAs is MPAs in California, including appropriate category on the reliant upon human knowledge sites in every county along our MPA Watch datasheet. To and understanding of and com- coast. avoid bias, only the activity the pliance with site specific regula- Data are collected by subject is engaged in as the ob- tions. Additionally, the increase walking along the mean high server passes is documented. in biodiversity and abundance tide line of predetermined Each person or boat counted often found within MPAs would routes, referred to as transects, gets a tally in only one catego- suggest that these protected are- and observing and recording all ry. Data categories include on- as may also inherently provide recreational, aesthetic, and edu- cational benefits. Despite the importance of anthropogenic- use data in MPA management, there were no coordinated, statewide efforts to collect such data in California. MPA Watch was created in 2008 to fill this gap in knowledge. MPA Watch is a network of programs that support healthy oceans through community science by collecting human use data in and around our protected areas. MPA Collecting Data Watch volunteers monitor hu- Photo by: Octavio Aburto man use of MPAs by walking on the beach, counting people, 12

OceanBights ______shore and offshore as well as consumptive and non- consumptive activities including beach recreation, wildlife watching, tidepooling, surfing, offshore recreation, fishing, and boating. Full data-collection protocols and datasheet may be found at www.mpawatch.org under the “Resources” tab. MPA Watch data for Catalina Island were collected between March 2017 and No- vember 2017 within Cat Harbor SMCA and Blue Cavern On- shore No-Take SMCA along four transects. Cat Harbor SMCA allows the recreational take of: finfish by hook and line or by spearfishing; market squid by hook and line; and, spiny lob- ster and sea urchin. It allows the commercial take of sea cucum- bers by diving only, spiny lob- ster and sea urchin, and aqua- culture of finfish pursuant to any required state permits. Blue Cavern Onshore No-Take SMCA prohibits all MPA Watch Data take, except as pursuant under Credit: Angela Kemsley federal law for scientific and emergency response purposes with authorization. The majority of activi- work boats, private power boats accounting for 85% of all ties observed during the 2017 boats, and kayaks accounted for observed consumptive activi- season were non-consumptive, another 34% of recorded obser- ties. Onshore consumptive ac- accounting for 96% of all ob- vations. Onshore activities, such tivities, including hook and line servations (see A in figure). as beach recreation, accounted fishing, accounted for less than Over half (53%) of non- for less than 4% of total record- 8% of all recorded consumptive consumptive activities (B in ed observations. observations. figure) observed were miscella- Consumptive activities Potential violations were neous non-fishing boats, con- (C) accounted for only 4% of observed and reported via sisting of boat types not on the total activities, with boat fishing CDFW’s reporting system Cal- datasheet or non-fishing boats (*traps, lines, nets, dive, and TIP unidentifiable by researchers. spear) and unknown fishing (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/En Other offshore boating, such as 13

OceanBights ______forcement/CalTIP) on 21% of ing, kayaking, diving and myri- The data you collect will be data collection trips. All poten- ad of other recreational oppor- added to a database of over tial violations reported were tunities afforded by these im- 20,000 surveys and used to in- within the Blue Cavern Onshore portant places. form the management, en- No-Take SMCA, which overall forcement, and science of Cali- accounted for 78% of all ob- HOW TO GET INVOLVED fornia’s MPAs and help protect served instances of consumptive Volunteers are currently the amazing ecosystems and activity (D) despite being a no- needed to monitor sites all wildlife right in your own back- take area. around Catalina Island. In other yard. Data suggest that Cata- lina Island MPAs have experi- enced higher than average levels of poaching since their im- plementation in 2012. The amount of potential violations observed by MPA Watch volunteers at Catalina Island (21% of all surveys) was over twice as much as the statewide average for observed potential violations (9% of all surveys). Additional data from CDFW reports similar data, with Catalina Island accounting for 85% of all MPA- related violations in Los Ange- les County during a study con- ducted from 2012-2015. Beautiful Santa Catalina, worth saving Whether these data accurately Credit: Brian Skeery represents the amount of poaching at Catalina Island compared to other sites or rather is an arti- words, you can help protect Visit fact of more robust monitoring California’s beautiful beaches www.wildcoast.org and at Catalina Island compared to and oceans just by taking a walk www.mpawatch.org or contact other sites has yet to be seen on the beach! There are oppor- WILDCOAST’s MPA Watch and warrants further research. tunities to monitor Catalina Coordinator at ange- Despite, or perhaps es- MPAs by land through WILD- [email protected] for more in- pecially because of these high COAST and by sea through Los formation! levels of poaching, Catalina Is- Angeles Waterkeeper’s boat- land MPAs deserve special at- based MPA Watch program CMS and Climate tention to protect the amazing (see Change ecosystems and wildlife literally http://lawaterkeeper.org/mpa- found nowhere else in the watch). world. Catalina Island is home If you are ready to un- There is climate change, to over 60 endemic species, leash your inner scientist or if but to be more specific, the many of which rely on the is- you just really enjoy long walks globe is warming. Some of the land’s coastal resources. Not to on the beach, consider becom- effects of global warming are mention the amazing snorkel- ing an MPA Watch volunteer! self evident to the most casual 14

OceanBights ______observer: glaciers in retreat or of water, the air will just get weather activity to climate disappearing almost every- hotter. Considering the ocean, change. The increasing damages where, especially in California; evaporation is a desalination produced by hurricanes are con- spring comes earlier now than process, leaving salt in the flated not only by the intensity 20 years ago; winter is a month ocean as fresh water evaporates. of the storms, but also the sus- shorter in the Pacific Northwest; But more rain will lead to more ceptibility of the landscape to temperate-loving animal and fresh water at the surface, which damage as we continue to build plants move to higher and cool- will also be warmer, and there- on more land and to higher den- er elevations and our Bristle- fore less dense than deeper lay- sity. We also have higher sea cone pines are being invaded by ers. Hence there will be less levels to contend with, which limber pines taking advantage mixing and fewer nutrients will when added to water rise due to of the climate; ocean tempera- come to the euphotic zone. storm surge, increases flooding. tures are warming, and tropical On the other hand, Changes in ocean tem- marine fauna moving northward storms redistribute energy perature are like changes in the in response, such as the scythe around the globe, taking energy stock market, they are never butterfly fish now often found from the tropics and bringing it smooth and steady, but chaotic. at Catalina. At this rate, when to higher latitudes. We can ex- If the market value is said to will there be lobsters in Monte- pect more storms. Storms mix increase an average of 7% a rey Bay? the ocean, bringing nutrients year, there may never be a year All these observations upward and counterbalancing that it actually increased 7%, fall neatly into the paradigm the effects of stratification. We but rather it exhibits over time that temperatures are increasing. know that ocean productivity small movements and large But nature is oh, so much more increases after the passage of movements (especially when complicated and increasing hurricanes. How these different the movement is down). Trying temperatures will have many phenomena interact is not to ferret out the direction of the other effects, including non- known. Stratification may dom- market, and specifically what intuitive ones. We need to know inant in some locations while stocks will increase is akin to how global warming will affect increased mixing will be found ferreting out the direction of us so that as a civilization we in others. local climate and what strate- can make adjustments to mini- However, we can ex- gies to bet on. mize changes to our culture and pect record temperatures But we must intuitively lifestyle, or at least allow us to know that we cannot keep and record rains, in places make intelligent choices on how pumping tons of CO into the where it already rains much. As 2 to deal with global warming. atmosphere and expect there not a former Houstonian, I am well So how will global to be consequences. See the fig- aware of the rainstorms that warming affect us? We really ure. The immediate work is to frequent that city and the flood- don’t know. Its specific effects determine what the local conse- ing that often results. However, will depend on local conditions. quences may be. What we are there has been increasing flood- What we do know is that as the doing, in our small way, is help- ing in Houston (and in Baton air and water get warmer, there ing to understand our local en- Rouge) over the last decade, will be more evaporation. vironment. To that end we have due entirely to heavy rains. And Warm air holds more water than studied ocean temperatures and this was before the record rains cold air, so if there is a reservoir how they have changed over associated with Hurricane Har- of water to evaporate, there will decades. They have increased, vey (an astounding 50 inches!). be more water in the atmos- and the increase has not been Of course, it is difficult phere, and that will lead to more steady, but rather appears as to attribute specific storms or rain. If there is no such source episodic increases. How come? 15

OceanBights ______Besides taking strategic warming, or just a freak occur- hemisphere. And we will know action to reduce the amount of rence, perhaps due to shifting it through the decrease in shore- carbon dioxide released into the currents from the south. If it diveable days. Fishing practices will change. Now, the ocean adjacent to Los Angeles and sur- rounding Santa Catalina, the Southern California Bight, is home to diverse species, due to the large range of ocean temperatures encountered here. We get cold water from the north and warm water from the south, enabling species of both northern and southern affinities to Historical CO2 levels. CO2 is now (2018) at 409 ppm hang out in close proximity. If our local ocean warms enough, the species with northern affini- atmosphere, tactically we was due to global warming, ties will vacate the area and our should accommodate expected then we can expect more warm species diversity may decline. changes generated by a warm- spells to occur in the future, and There will be more ex- ing globe. However, we are not the kelp will likely disappear treme weather events. More sure what those changes will be. again and again. How should tornadoes, more hurricanes, And, what can we do we plan for this eventuality? more monsoons, more and about it? Well, we can work to Develop genetically modified greater heat waves, more wild- understand our environment as kelp that can survive on the re- fires, the latter being the most it is and as it changes. This will duced nutrient flow? Transplant concern to California. enable us to predict. Such un- kelp variants from other loca- We, as the social Socie- derstanding will be invaluable tions that normally survive in ty, love the local ocean, and we as decisions are made to main- conditions we expect to hap- contribute our skills acquired in tain, adjust or modify our envi- pen? Move our recreational div- playing with the ocean toward ronment. Future decisions on ing to points further north? One making scientific measurements industrial locations and practic- innovative project I have heard in an effort to understand better es, location of marine reserves is to have a kelp elevator, that the ocean. Any understanding and extraction practices, coastal will lower into deeper water so and insights we achieve will be use regarding expected increas- it can absorb nutrients, then added to the vast store of exist- es in storm activity, and shore- move the kelp into the photic ing knowledge and enable oth- side erosion. Mariculture. Rec- zone so photosynthesis can ers to build upon our studies as reational activities. etc happen. we build upon other’s work. As we reported else- There will be less shore- where, giant kelp, Macrocystis diveable days due to enhance pyrifora, is returning to the Av- storm activity. Storms, especial- Mooring  the sonde and alon Dive Park. It disappeared ly hurricanes, are nature’s way mount it and a series of thermo- during a warm water spell, al- of equilibrating energy around graphs along the mooring line. lowing an invasive sargassum to the planet. We can expect more After about 3 weeks, the flourish in its place. Was the large storms, both locally, in procedure is reversed and the warm water spell due to global Alaska and also in the southern 16

OceanBights ______sonde returned to the mainland. meeting? Well, in The data collected are down- addition to the data loaded, quality assured and up- gathered by our loaded to the website. field programs, The scientific mooring there are lots of da- has been re-established with the ta available for free new sonde purchased last year. that are measured Data collection has been great by the government and should inform us much and other institu- about pH variations off Two tions. We utilize Harbors. these data, which We aspire to place more include satellite instruments on this and other measurements, da- moorings. These sensors would ta collected by include a pressure gauge to buoys and ship- Venue for CalCOFI, screens open during board measure- measure water level, and a cur- break, revealing beautiful La Jolla rent meter to measure water ments.

One issue we Various components of are studying is how this study have also been pre- Santa Catalina differs sented at the Ocean Sciences from the other Chan- 2018 meeting and recently at the nel Islands, specifical- California Cooperative Oceanic ly in the seasonal and Fisheries Investigation growth of phyto- (CalCOFI). For more details, see plankton. To do so, the papers on our website or we used a decade of search for our article published color measurements by the Western North American made by the Earth Naturalist.  Observing Satellite Aqua. This is where the optics comes in. Divers attaching sonde. The study re- Credit: Adam Fram lied on past CMS Southern California work, which involved Academy of Sciences the analysis of buoy Annual Meeting, May 3, data, old-CCD tem- 2019, Cal State flow. perature measurements, Northridge. CalCOFI shipboard measure- Croatia a new, higher level ments and data from a weather of visibility for the organiza- station at Two Harbors. SCUBA Show 2019, May tion. We find that Catalina is 4-5, Long Beach. The conference was the most like San Clemente, but Ocean Optics XXIV meeting, that our island differs markedly Ocean Sciences Meeting organized by The Oceanography from San Nicolas and the 2020, Feb 16-21, San Society (TOS). You may ask Northern Channel Islands. Diego. what is CMs doing at an optics

OceanBights ______

Catalina Marine Society Membership

Catalina Marine Society Members support the goals of the Society through their dues and also elect the Society’s directors. Membership is described in the bylaws and is granted to those who: 1) agree with the mission statement; 2) pay the annual dues (currently $20); and, 3) submit an application that is approved by the board. An e-application is available on

http://www.catalinamarinesociety.org/CMSMembership.html

Manual Membership Application

Please send the following required information to the Catalina Marine Society via e-mail or post to the address below.

Name, e-mail address, postal address, reason you wish to join the Society, and that you agree with our mission statement.

Dues can be paid through the "Donate" link or checks made payable to the "Catalina Marine Society" sent to the following address:

Catalina Marine Society 15954 Leadwell Street Lake Balboa, CA 91406

If you are interested in contributing to the work of the Society in other ways, please let us know. Catego- ries and examples of needed volunteer work are listed below.

Lab Field Office

Data analysis Boating Web design/programming GIS Diving Graphics Programming Instrument calibration Photography/Videography Hardware/Equipment fabrication and mounting

Magazine/newsletter Fund raising Press/publicity

Reporting Event planning Public speaking Publishing Event volunteer Newspaper articles 18 Editing Grant writing

Departments