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ROV Surveys of the Mid-depth and Deep Subtidal Ecosystems, California North Coast MPA Baseline Study, 2014 to 2015

Published by California Ocean Protection Council | State of California | Metadata Last Checked: July 29, 2025 | Last Modified: 2018-02-06T21:46:49.682426
Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) preformed quantitative baseline surveys within the NCSR in 2014 and 2015 with the overall goal to describe the condition of three distinctive priority ecosystem features within four MPAs and their adjacent reference study areas: a) mid-depth rock ecosystems, b) softbottom subtidal ecosystems, and c) deep ecosystems (including canyons). Long-term monitoring trends within these habitats will be compared to baseline conditions, assisting in evaluating MPA effectiveness. The four MPAs chosen for evaluation include: Point St. George Reef Offshore SMCA, Reading Rock State Marine Reserve, Mattole Canyon State Marine Reserve and Ten Mile State Marine Reserve. Outside reference areas with similar habitats and depths were also surveyed for comparison. During the first two years following implementation, benthic visual surveys were conducted using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to assess initial changes in fishes, macro-invertebrates and associated seafloor habitats. The ROV collected video and still imagery while moving along a fixed path (transect) along the sea floor. Video imagery collected was analyzed to characterize substrate, habitat types, habitat complexity (rugosity), and estimate finfish and macro-invertebrate distribution, relative abundance and density. In total, 60 ROV dives were completed surveying more than 106 km (19 ha) between 13 and 421 m deep. In addition, over 16,500 still photos were taken.

Resources

31 resources available

  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Sensors 2014 - 2015

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Tracking 2014 -2015 - Metadata

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  • MPA Boundary Details - North Coast - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Species Lookup Table - Metadata

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  • Site Lookup Table - Metadata

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  • Site Lookup Table

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Transect Lookup Table 2014 -2015 - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Observations 2014 - 2015 - Metadata

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  • MPA Boundary Details - North Coast

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  • Biological Data - Fish Species Lookup Table

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Transect Lookup Table 2014 -2015

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - CTD 2014 -2015 - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Stereo Camera Fish Sizing 2014 - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Stereo Camera Fish Sizing 2014

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  • Biological Data - Fish Species Lookup Table - Metadata

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Sensors 2014 - 2015 - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Fish Observations 2014 - 2015

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - CTD 2014 -2015

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Patches 2014 - 2015 - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Patches 2014 - 2015

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  • MPA Baseline Program Information - North Coast

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Observations 2014 - 2015

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  • MPA Baseline Program Information - North Coast - Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Invertebrate Species Lookup Table

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  • Biological Data - Fish Observations 2014 - 2015 - Metadata

    CSV
  • Tracking and Sensor Data - ROV Tracking 2014 -2015

    CSV
  • Full Data Package for ROV Surveys of the Mid-depth and Deep Subtidal Ecosystems, California North Coast MPA Baseline Study, 2014 to 2015

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  • Biological Data - Metadata

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  • Tracking and Sensor Data - Methods and Sampling Metadata

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  • Biological Data - Methods and Sampling Metadata

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  • Final Report North Coast Baseline Program: Mid-depth and Deep Subtidal Ecosystems

    PDF

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