B23A-0585
NOAA's efforts to map extent, health and condition of deep sea corals and sponges and their habitat on the banks and island slopes of Southern California
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Peter John Etnoyer1, Enrique Salgado2, Kevin Stierhoff3, Leslie Wickes4, Stephanie Nehasil3, Laura Kracker5, Andy Lauermann6, Dirk Rosen6 and Chris Caldow7, (1)NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, Charleston, SC, United States, (2)JHT, Inc., Orlando, FL, United States, (3)NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Advanced Survey Technologies Group, La Jolla, CA, United States, (4)NOAA Affiliate, JHT, Inc., National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Charleston, SC, United States, (5)NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Silver Spring, MD, United States, (6)Marine Applied Research and Education, Richmond, CA, United States, (7)NOAA National Ocean Service, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Abstract:
Southern California's deep-sea corals are diverse and abundant, but subject to multiple stressors, including corallivory, ocean acidification, and commercial bottom fishing. NOAA has surveyed these habitats using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) since 2003. The ROV was equipped with high-resolution cameras to document deep-water groundfish and their habitat in a series of research expeditions from 2003 - 2011. Recent surveys 2011-2015 focused on in-situ measures of aragonite saturation and habitat mapping in notable habitats identified in previous years. Surveys mapped abundance and diversity of fishes and corals, as well as commercial fisheries landings and frequency of fishing gear. A novel priority setting algorithm was developed to identify hotspots of diversity and fishing intensity, and to determine where future conservation efforts may be warranted. High density coral aggregations identified in these analyses were also used to guide recent multibeam mapping efforts. The maps suggest a large extent of unexplored and unprotected hard-bottom habitat in the mesophotic zone and deep-sea reaches of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
