Conserving California’s Vibrant Deep-Sea Ecosystems August 18, 2016 Prepared by: www.marine-conservation.org Please direct comments or questions to Lance Morgan, [email protected] Table of Contents Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Relevant Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction - Conservation Opportunity for California’s Offshore Waters................................................................. 5 Seamounts, Banks and Ridges .................................................................................................................................. 7 Hydrothermal Vents ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Open Ocean Surrounding Seamounts and Banks ..................................................................................................... 9 Offshore Distribution of Seabirds in California ....................................................................................................... 10 Scientific Value of Protection ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Cultural Value of Protection ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Areas of Conservation Interest Offshore California.................................................................................................... 11 Potential Threats to California’s Offshore Waters...................................................................................................... 12 1. Commercial Fishing: California Drift, Set Gillnet and Abalone ........................................................................... 12 2. Oil and Gas Exploration and Drilling ................................................................................................................... 12 3. Deep-sea Mining ................................................................................................................................................. 13 4. Telecommunications Cables and Acoustic Arrays .............................................................................................. 14 5. Shipping, Invasive Species and Vessel Strikes ..................................................................................................... 14 6. Climate Change ................................................................................................................................................... 15 7. Kelp Harvest ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 8. Bioprospecting .................................................................................................................................................... 16 9. Naval Presence .................................................................................................................................................... 16 10. Submarine Tourism ........................................................................................................................................... 17 California’s Offshore Areas of Conservation Interest ................................................................................................. 18 Cortes and Tanner Banks ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Biological Setting .................................................................................................................................................... 18 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Northeast Bank ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 San Juan Seamount ..................................................................................................................................................... 22 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 22 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 23 August 18, 2016 2 Rodriguez Seamount ................................................................................................................................................... 23 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 Taney Seamounts........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Pioneer Seamount ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Guide Seamount ......................................................................................................................................................... 28 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Gumdrop Seamount ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 30 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Site Users ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Mendocino Ridge ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Geologic Setting ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 Biology .................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Site Users ...............................................................................................................................................................