ROCKFISH CONSERVATION AREAS

Rockfish Conservation Areas

MARINE FISHERIES SURVEYS

Marine fisheries are  a vital component of the world’s food supply,  and occur in every ocean and sea around the globe. MARE works with  state and federal agencies, NGO’s and academic partners to provide the needed scientific information on species inhabiting deep-ocean environments, helping to  inform the sustainable management of these important resources.

Rockfish Conservation Areas 1

NOAA SK

Working with The Nature Conservancy and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, RCA closures off of Monterey California were surveyed using the ROV Beagle and the Video Lander to determine rockfish species densities and composition. Data collected was compared to validate the usefulness of the Video Lander in providing low coast data that can be used to assist in regional stock assessments within the RCA closure areas, particularly within rocky substrates that cannot be surveyed using traditional trawling methods.

Rockfish Conservation Areas 2

CHURCH ROCK

Located just inside Morro Bay, Church Rock is a unique pinnacle feature that has been closed to fishing since the implementation of the RCA closures. Working with The Nature Conservancy, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the ROV Beagle surveyed Church Rock in 2011, 2012 and 2016 to determine species density and composition for both fish and invertebrate species at this once heavily fished location. MARE data analysts discovered many over fished rockfish species and a reef building coral species at this highly productive pinnacle.