Beaches: CINMS

The California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project was started in July 2005 by the SeaDoc Society (UC Davis Wildlife Health Center). Since its inception, the Project has recovered more than 100 tons of lost fishing gear and other marine debris. The California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project proposes to continue to help reduce the potential impact of lost fishing gear on living marine resources and underwater habitat by retrieving lost fishing gear from Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) and anywhere on the coast where it is a high priority for removal because of demonstrated or potential impacts to marine wildlife and people. 1-888-491-GEAR to report lost, abandoned, and discarded gear. 

Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteers are trained by CINMS and CINP to educate the public on board local marine excursion vessels conducting whale watch tours, natural history tours, and island trips. Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteers are trained to conduct citizen science on marine mammal field identification and general research. Research objectives of the program include the development of a comprehensive database of incidental marine mammal sightings and reports collected in the Santa Barbara Channel, CINMS and CINP.

Repeat mapping of shallow-water environments is essential for monitoring damage and recovery from episodic events (e.g., major storms), as well as chronic coastal erosion and habitat degradation. Bathymetric data covering the shallowest areas (<5 m water depth) can be challenging to collect, yet is critically needed for benthic habitat mapping. These data are also of interest to NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey (OCS), in areas such as the Channel Islands, where offshore breakers can prohibit vessels from surveying to the navigation area limit lime (NALL).  Topobathymetric lidar from conventional (manned) aircraft is often an effective technology, but it can be too expensive for repeat monitoring at high temporal frequencies. Furthermore, the mobilization times can be prohibitive when data are needed immediately after a storm or other disaster.