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

Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring
2008 Annual Report
Less common fish captured over the year included bonefish (Albula vulpes), California lizardfish
(Synodus lucioceps), and an unidentified juvenile rockfish (Sebastes sp.). All were captured in low
numbers. Only one California needlefish (Strongylura exilis) was captured (in April 2008), though a
school of them was observed from the boat at Station 1 in October but not captured. No striped mullet
(Mugil cephalus) were captured in the basin but were regularly observed, particularly in October, in
schools in the shallows along the riprap of the basin.
Ca. butterfly ray in the beach seine.
The total mass (g) of fish captured in 2008 is presented in Table 1-6. A
total of 55 kg of fish was captured at Station 1, 68% of which was made
up of elasmobranchs, primarily bat ray (Myliobatis californica), round
stingray (Urobatis halleri), gray smoothhound (Mustelus californicus),
and California butterfly ray (Gymnura marmorata). Topsmelt,
yellowfin croaker (Umbrina roncador), and California halibut were also
major contributors to overall mass at Station 1. A smaller total mass of
19 kg of fish was captured at Station 2, dominated by topsmelt (45%),
jacksmelt (17%), and diamond turbot (12%).
It is important to note when reviewing these tables that survey intensity varied slightly between
stations due to variations in large beach seine haul sizes, so direct comparisons between stations and
quarters should be made carefully. In addition, the sampling biases between gear types make lumping
of the catch of all gears together inappropriate. To standardize for the area sampled and to allow direct
comparisons in density and biomass between stations, Figure 1-8 presents the mean density
(individuals/m 2 ) by gear by quarter for each station. The results of the first sampling in October 2007
are included as well.
Merkel & Associates, Inc. 43