1.2.2.5. Coastal dynamics of the California Current system-the physics, chemistry, ecology, and structure of upwelling and the countercurrent (including the impact on contiguous area).—Upwelling is one of the important physical variables with respect to fisheries. Despite its importance it is poorly understood, particularly with reference to its causes, its relation to topography, and its ultimate effect on higher trophic levels such as fishes. Thus even though a careful analysis of past data might provide estimates of variation in upwelling, they will furnish no indication of how these variations might affect, for example, the sardine, the anchovy, or the salmons. Though it is important, all over the world, the California Current system offers the best opportunity for definitive study from the point of logistics, background information, and importance. What is needed is a comprehensive theory, tested with field measurements. A number of recording stations must be moored in the upwelling region to ascertain A. The location of the primary upwelling in the upwelling areas. (Some evidence points to primary upwelling over the axis of canyons.) B. Chemical, radiochemical, and biological indications of upwelling. C. An evaluation of the effect of upwelling on production and on the distribution and abundance of animals generally. D. A workable theory of upwelling. E. A comparative history of upwelling in the California Current system. Inseparably tied in with a study of upwelling must be a study of the countercurrent. Both undoubtedly are different manifestations of the same general dynamics. The principal mechanism by which the waters of the California Current system are reinoculated with the southern organisms must be the countercurrent. In addition, the transport of the southerly spawned pelagic fish larvae to the northern part of their range must be by this mechanism. There are many mysteries about this current. What is needed is A. Measurements and a dynamic description of its onset structure and dissolution; B. An extension of theory to permit analysis of past data; C. A study of the comparative strengths of the countercurrent in the past; and D. Effects on organisms. These two near-shore studies must be integrated, as they must develop their description and theory from interrelated phenomena. Scripps Institution of Oceanography (5 years) total annual $100,000 30,000 100, 000 230,000 1.2.2.6. Bioassay of organic micronutrients in the sea.—This proposal is directed toward improving existing bioassay techniques, adapting the methodology to cruises, and applying the techniques as a survey and research tool. Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2 years) cost per year-------- $15,000 Total cost‒‒‒‒‒‒ 30,000 - 1.2.2.7. Relations between populations of marine organisms and the environment. This includes research support for five graduate students and one faculty member in marine ecology, and is a continuing program. As an example, one of the studies underway is a study of phytoplankton distribution and abundance, and its relation to physical and chemical properties in the ocean. Scripps Institution of Oceanography (continuing) annual cost------ $10,000 1.2.2.8. Taxonomic and ecological study of northeastern Pacific tripylean radiolaria. This is a study aimed at clarifying the classification of these organisms, and elucidating their ecology. It is felt that the results will be particularly useful in a broader respect as preliminary studies suggest these radiolarians will be valuable water mass indicators. Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2 years) annual cost--. $14,000 it is important to have quantitative information on the major constituent groups. So far such measurements are available only for a limited number of plankton samples from the eastern North Pacific. Volumetric measurements are preferable to counts of individuals. Constitu ent measurements can be made by group (euphasiid, copepods, salps, etc.) and, where warranted, by the major species making up each constituent group. The information is needed in evaluating the potential of the standing crop of zooplankton, in food studies of plankton feeding fishes, and in studies on the success of survival of year classes of fishes. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries annual cost (3 years) __ $28,000 1.2.2.3 Comparative analysis and history of the California Current system.— This program will have two interrelated objectives, as follows: A. To compare the present research period (1949 to present) with the modern data period (1912-49), and B. To place these two periods in perspective with the long-term record of the California Current system. A. Modern data period (1912–49) It has been said that a high priority of the CALCOFI research is to discover if possible, the basic causes of the catastrophic change of sardine abundance and distribution that occurred in the 1940's. Thus the first part of this program will extrapolate our present understanding of the ecology of the California Current system back to the beginnings of modern weather, fisheries, and oceanographic data. This beginning was about 1912. This will include such matters as 1. The dominant meteorological regimes of these years; 2. The strength and position of the California Current; 3. The intensity of the countercurrent and its period of operation; 4. Temperature regime; 5. Upwelling and nutrient advection; 6. Nature of the plankton; 7. General meteorological; and 8. Oceanographic conditions of the North Pacific. The data becomes more diffuse as the beginnings of this period are approached, but adequate comparisons with the present research period undoubtedly are possible. B. Long-term record The long-term record of the California Current system must be derived from more primitive data-continuous temperature-rainfall and wind data extend from about 1865. It is the purpose of this research to extend our present understanding back through this period and to understand the representivity of the two recent periods in the long-term record. Some earlier accounts of weather, fishes, etc., will be examined to gain additional perspective. Scripps Institution of Oceanography annual cost_--- $60,000 1.2.2.4 Organic energy budget of the California Current system.-An essential to the thorough understanding of the living resources of a region is the understanding of the food supply to these resources. For example, in the California Current system the principal food supply may be either the food produced in the current by phytoplankton or the more highly organized food brought by currents into the system. It is now not clear which is dominant, although the important ascribable to such processes as upwelling depend vitally on the understanding of this dominance. It is first necessary to understand the food supply represented by the zooplankton. This will be done by chemical analysis, covering in a somewhat different way an independent evaluation of the research proposed under paragraph 1.2.2.2. Secondly, it is necessary to ascertain the level of primary productivity in the system by C measurements. Thirdly, it is necessary to determine the relationship between the more highly organized food represented by the advection (of zooplankton, principally), and this local primary productivity. The factor of equivalence probably lies between 10 and 2, which estimate is adequate for the prior work. Scripps Institutions of Oceanography (3 years) annual cost-- $25,000 2.0.1.9. Physiology of sardines.-This is a relatively new project. Its aim is to explore and understand the physiology of the eggs, larvae, and adult sardines in order that the effect of environmental parameters can be meaning. fully specified. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (continuing) annual cost----- $21,000 2.0.1.10. Laboratory studies of behavior.-Studies of the response of sardines and anchovies to temperature, light, and other environmental gradients. California Academy of Science (continuing) annual cost_-- 2.0.2.0. New Research Proposed on Sardine. $7,500 2.0.2.1. Reduction, analysis, and publication of pelagie fisheries back data.— This subproject will consist of the salary and expenses of a marine biologist together with clerical and other machine help. It is one of the applications of the capitol project 4.0.0.3. which involves establishment of a computer center. California Fish and Game (3 years) annual cost-‒‒‒‒‒ $25,000 2.0.2.2 Relation of larval survival to the environment.-Following leads developed by SIO and the BCF, it is proposed to conduct an exhaustive study of all past data on larval distribution, abundance, and sizes, and all environmental data. Senior scientists are available. Needed is a junior biologist with mathematical training, two technicians and funds for machine analysis. Scripps Institution of Oceanography-Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (3 years) annual cost-- $30,000 2.0.2.3 Comparative study of food of sardines, anchovies, jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel, especially when they occur in the same areas, etc.-This study is needed to understand the interrelationships of these species, and to determine the extent of their competition for food. This will contribute to a better understanding of shifts in the relative abundance of these "competing species." Data will be collected on commercial vessels and existing research cruises so funding is needed only for a biologist and one assistant. California Fish and Game (3 years) annual cost-- $13,000 2.0.2.4 Survey of catch statistics of the California wet fish fishery.—The objective is to provide the most meaningful basis possible for evaluating routine catch statistics in terms of population parameters. This project is timely because there have been so many economic, biological, and technical changes in the fishery that a thoroughgoing field study of the fleet is needed to provide a modern analytical description of its operations. Required is a scientific leader, one clerk, possibly up to one-half time of a consulting economist, and machine processing time for 3 years. California Fish and Game (3 years) annual cost__ $22,000 2.0.2.5 Restudy of age and growth determination.—A thorough study of the methodology of age and growth by a senior scientist, possibly on a contract basis is envisioned. Such a study is desired because new and intensive utilization of the age and growth data require greater precision and evaluation of error than was required when the present system was established. California Fish and Game or Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (2 years) - $114, 000 2.0.2.6 Rearing pelagic marine fisheries.-This is an attempt to develop the methodology of rearing marine pelagic fishes-a field that has been hardly touched. Of necessity a great deal will be learned about the life requirements of the fish, as well as setting the stage for the next step which will be the experimental study of the effects of varying environmental parameters on the animals. Four senior scientists (a physiologist, a microbiologist, a biochemist, and a reviewer) plus their physical, and human support. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries: 4 years, annual cost__. 1st year equipment---- Total 1st year cost--- $65,000 100, 000 165,000 2.0.2.7 Estimate from available data the probable population size, stability, and distribution of the ecologically important pelagic fishes including hake, jack mackerel, anchovy, saury, squid, and elasmobranchs. This should be carried out by biologists associated with the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, La Jolla Laboratory, and the California Fish and Game, Terminal Island Laboratory. These biologists should examine fecundity, egg larvae data, and the juvenile and adult fish data, and the literature to obtain these estimates. Some travel and assistance will probaby be needed. California Fish and Game-Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (2 years) annual cost-- $25,000 2.0.2.8 Elucidate the probable interrelation of these ecologically important pelagic species with preferred sport and commercial species.-The same biologists as under project 2.0.2.7 should examine this problem from existing data on food, considering larval, juvenile, and adult relationships. California Fish and Game-Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (2 years) annual cost‒‒‒‒‒‒ 3.0.0.0 Capital expenditures $10,000 These are capital expenditures not closely related to any particular project. 3.0.0.1 Oceanographic research vessel. It will become increasingly difficult for marine life research to obtain one of the larger Scripps vessels for long periods of time. This is due to increased activities in oceanographic research in the ocean far from California. The Navy and the National Science Foundation are rapidly increasing their funds for ocean research into such areas as the Indian and Arctic Oceans. Thus a special CALCOFI research vessel may become necessary for full realization of the research. The ship would be used for many types of research as listed below: 1. Monitoring oceanographic conditions; 2. Anchoring and maintaining instrument skiffs; 3. Midwater trawling ; 4. Launching and recovering deep free instruments; 5. Testing new net designs and other equipment; 6. Spawning studies; 7. Schooling studies; 8. Physical and biological boundary conditions; and 9. Direct surface and subsurface current measurements. A ship for CALCOFI research can probably be obtained through educational surplus for a fee of approximately $500. The largest expense would be for conversion to Coast Guard specifications and for research use. It it desirable that the vessel have an adequate laboratory but not extremely large and have bunking space for 12 scientists. There will have to be a winch large enough to handle midwater trawls, and for the mooring of skiffs, but not as large as necessary for very deep, heavy coring requirements. Also an A-frame will be necessary to handle the equipment that is lifted and operated over the stern. This ship should be outfitted with excellent navigational aids. It should have the best commercial radar, preferably with an A-scope read-out and two antennas at different heights to make the radar useful at close ranges. Also important equipment is two read-out lorans, a sonar (perhaps British type of mine hunting sonar). Two underwater observation ports would be valuable for the marine biologist. Conversion cost----- $400,000 3.0.0.2 Underwater camera.-In the past few years, underwater photography has greatly improved. It has become possible to photograph life in the sea from the near surface to the deepest depth. With photographic records, biologists, geologists, and others can rapidly and with greater ease resolve some of the problems of the oceans. The CALCOFI program could benefit from the use of a good underwater camera such as developed by Harold T. Edgerton. It could be used to photograph the areas of spawning sardines and other pelagic fish. So far, it has not been consistently possible to collect spawning sardines very far from the coast. At any rate, collecting can scarcely reveal much about the spawning associations of sardines and it may be profitable to obtain underwater photographs in spawning areas in an attempt to ascertain if the fish spawn in a school or as widely sepa rated pairs. This also should reveal the nature of the larger associations of the sardine during spawning. Other areas of study would be photographing the shallow scattering layers. The part of the zooplankton and fish population composing the scattering layer is very little known. It may be composed of food supplies of the small particulate feeders. Other valuable work with the camera could be its use in conjunction with various nets. We may be able to determine some of the fish that escape our midwater trawl and nekton nets, the size of those that escape, and the distance of net detection. The camera may also be used to try and study schooling fish in relation to its predators. On a number of traces made by the precision depth recorder there are heavy traces of what appear to be schools of fish below that we consider the deepest depth that sardines, anchovies, and herring swim. It would be of great value to know what these traces on the precision depth recorder represent. Other uses less related to the present CALCOFI program are the bottom fish at all depths of the ocean floor. The relation of types of ocean floor to species, size, and numbers of fish would be of value to fishing in deeper water by commercial fisherman. The primary cost for some of these programs is the camera and its accessories. The CALCOFI program at Scripps Institution can supply ship time for studies involving the use of a camera. Our marine biologists have shown much interest in using a camera if it were available. Total cost______ $13, 590 3.0.0.3 Computer center-establishment of a scientific data processing unit at the California State Fisheries Laboratory to process and analyze large amounts of fisheries data. This will consist of a computer center including an electronic, desk-size, stored program computer with auxiliary equipment capable of handling IBM punchcards. California fish and game‒‒‒‒ $101, 500 3.0.0.4 Fisheries oceanography.-The Department of Fish and Game vessel N. B. Scofield has been in commission for 23 years and will need to be replaced soon. There have been several soft spots discovered in the wood of this vessel, all in critical locations such as the stem, stem post, and midship below the main engine. This condition will become worse with time. Therefore there is a need to replace the vessel. The ship would be used for many types of research as indicated below: 1. Monitoring oceanographic conditions; 2. Bottom and midwater trawling ; 3. Long-line and live-bait fishing and trolling ; 4. Round haul net fishing; 5. Fishing with gill, trammel, and blanket nets; 6. Fish behavior studies, including schooling and spawning behavior; and 7. Special oceanographic and biological studies. It A vessel for this variety of work would have to be designed and built. should be from 115 to 120 feet long. Its beam should be from 29 to 30 feet and its depth from main deck to keel about 17 feet. It should have bait wells with a total capacity of about 2,000 cubic feet and a portable bait tank of 150 cubic feet. There should be a 500 cubic foot capacity walk-in freezer for specimens and two 20 cubic foot portable boxes. It should be equipped with several winches including one northern dragger winch for trawling and one hydrographic winch. There should be bunking space for 20 men, mostly below deck; and about 180 square feet of laboratory space on the main deck. The ship should be outfitted with gyro compass, the best commercial radar, loran, and a sonar giving fine definition for locating fish schools. Two underwater observation ports would also be built in the vessel. Based on estimates received the total cost for such a vessel complete with all equipment would be approximately $175,000. 4.0.0.0. Research and analysis designed to translate the fund of basic knowledge into information usable to the public (utilization research) The general objectives of this need are contained in the statement previously brought to the attention of the Marine Research Committee, entitled "Proposed Fisheries Research," which statement the MRC included in the minutes of their |