California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Resources Region
Abstract
The California Department of Fish and Game and the State Water Resources Control Board (through Regional Board #3, Central Coast) entered into an agreement whereby Department biologist-divers conducted a subtidal ecological investigation of the marine environment in the vicinity of the city of Watsonville ocean outfall in Monterey Bay. The
objective of the study was to provide the Regional Water Quality Control I Board (RWQCB) with data to assist them in evaluating the effects of the discharge on the marine environment at four stations selected by the
RWQCB around the outfall terminus (Figure 1).
The determinations made by biologist-divers included: (i) the number and diversity of the plant and animal life; (ii) substrate characteristics; and (iii) physical parameters, including water temperature and clarity.
Additionally, benthic samples were obtained, both by the
divers and by a Ponar grab, at each station.
The State Water Resources Control Board reimbursed the Department for expenses incurred during this study. The work was performed by California Department of Fish and Game
biologists from the Department's research vessel KELP BASS