CalCOFI Reports, Vol. 11, 1967 - California Cooperative Oceanic ...

14 CALIFORXIA COOPERATIVE OCEANTC FISHERIES IISVESTIGATIOSSus to add some insight into these conditions. Deepcurrents in the eastern North Pacific have been foundto be low but of somewhat higher velocity than anticipated(ea. 3 cm/sec), and the fluctuating componenthas been found to result principally from the lunarsemi-diurnal surface tide. We have also demonstratedthe presence of unexpectedly large fish populations(see Figure 3) including wry large climax predators,whose presence on the deep ocean bottom is anenvironmental condition of importance.TnstrirniPnt Dcwlopwmt. Recent instrument developmentin the MLRP has been remarkably sucessful.All recent deep moorings have remained inoperation at least six months in the open sea and oneremained for 23 months. Long period records are nowavailable that greatly increase our understanding ofocean conditions and are allowing the greatly increasedprogram.The autonomous instruments are valuable for researchof the deep bottom.The new Isaacs-Brown Opening-Closing MidwaterTrawl is yielding much needed data on the verticaldistribution of marine organisms.New instruments under development include newsensors for deep moored stations, an acoustic releasefor autonomous instruments, isotherm followingfloats, etc.Special Cruises. The special cruises of the MLRPhave been directed toward : (1) instrument development,(2) exploration of deep benthic conditions includingthe varved sediments, (3) cruises to exploreand further delineate biological and oceanographicconditions in the North Pacific. Three such cruiseswere carried out in the period.Sunzniary. In summary, the MLR program overthe recent period has greatly expanded its competency,range of interest, and findings. This expansion hasbeen spatially into the North Pacific, rertically to thesea bottom, and temporally into the past range ofconditions of the California Current.This expansion is dependent upon and additive tothe knowledge and insight that the CalCOFI programhas created which is serving as a precious foundationfor an expansion of research and the opportunities ofCalifornia-and vindicating the prediction of the genitorsof the CalCOE'I program that the Pacific canrepresent a freedom to the State of California ratherthan a barrier.U.S. Bureau of Comnsercial FisheriesCalifornia Current Resources LaboratoryThe former La Jolla Biological Laboratory, theoldest Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Laboratory inCalifornia, was renamed the California Current Re-(300)................ :::::::::...................................................2nd Carnivores3rd Carnivores__---1965 Harvest(112 of catch)................ . . . .(45) ....... .; . . . . . . . . . . .6.0 x 10~79.0 x 10l67.5 x 1oI6 1.5141.2 x 10131.8 x 101.4(1)- (7) I. . .!A /.P r, / 4(0.8) -actual human consumption(0.4) -9.0 x 10 13-----1.0 x 10 13Flounders, Crabs, Lobster. Sea-stars,Fish larvae and frySquid, Salmon, Tuna, Cod. Hake,Porpoise, Skates and Rays, Sea birdsSeals, Sharks, Toothed &ales,Marlin____-_-----Herring, Anchovy, Menhaden, Cod, Hake,Haddock, Rockfish, Mullet, Tuna,Mackerel, Salmon, Flounders, Squid.Oyster, CrabsNote:The food chain should mte accurately be thought of as a foodweb, in which most organisms feed on mre than onetrophic level, changing diet with their age (especially when young) and the availability of food.FIGURE 1. Diagram showing the total marine food web. Hatched areas show total food ond total protein food at each step.-preparedby W. Schmitt.