Santa Barbara Shell Mounds

MARE completed video surveys on July 8th and 9th of 2022 to describe habitats and associated species at the locations of four shell mounds, formerly underneath 4H oil rigs that have since been removed. This survey was a part of California’s State Lands Commission’s environmental assessment. Video and still photos were captured at all four sites, and then reviewed to characterize debris, finfish, macroinvertebrates and their associated habitats on and around each shell mound.

Santa Barbara Shell Mounds 1

Biologist Sam Parker surveying shell mounds with the BATFish.