2008 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 10.9MB) - Bolsa Chica ...

Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring
2008 Annual Report
8%, and staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) 3%. The juvenile atherinids were not developed
enough to definitively identify, but were likely either topsmelt or grunion. These species often occur
together during larval and juvenile stages (Ehrlich et al. 1978). The remaining species made up less
than 2% of the total catch each at Station 2.
At Station 1, 28 species were captured in 2008, with California killifish (Fundulus parvipinis) and
topsmelt dominating the catch nearly equally (30% and 29% of the total catch, respectively). Slough
anchovy (Anchoa delicatissima) made up 14% of the catch and arrow/shadow gobies made up 5%. All
other species were captured in low numbers (Table 1-5).
Five species of elasmobranchs were captured in 2008, primarily in April and July and nearly entirely at
Station 1. Anchovies were captured primarily at Station 1 and only in April and July, with small
numbers of deepbody anchovy (Anchoa compressa) and northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
captured in the purse seine, and slightly larger numbers of slough anchovy, nearly all of which were
captured near to shore in a single replicate of the large beach seine in July. Pacific herring (Clupea
pallasii) and Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) were captured only in July and in very low
numbers. Topsmelt and California grunion were present year round at both stations, primarily as
juveniles. Ten large jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) were captured, with no juveniles detected.
All three Paralabrax bass were captured, with the highest numbers in July and October. All were
juveniles.
Gobies were common at both stations and were most
abundant in July. The density of gobies is believed to be
underrepresented because large numbers were often
observed swimming out of the seine bag as it was pulled
up onto shore. Their slippery texture, active nature, and
narrow bodies allow them to align with the net mesh and
escape more easily than the other species. Both arrow
and shadow gobies were captured in FTB. California
halibut (Paralichthys californicus) and diamond turbot
(Pleuronichthys guttulatus) were captured in all quarters.
Table 1-5 also notes the capture of two unidentified fish.
Juvenile California halibut.
These two juvenile fish of the same species could not be
identified in the laboratory and are being sent out to a taxonomist at the time of this report preparation.
The final identification will be included in the next monitoring report.
Merkel & Associates, Inc. 41