Geology: CINMS

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.

The Ocean Exploration Trust used scuba diving, high resolution autonomous surface vessel and ship-based mapping, and remotely operated vehicles to locate and characterize submarine shoreline terraces in the Channel Islands. Our 2017 team will continue their efforts in 2018 and will focus on: (1) locating sea caves at the 103-meter, 110-meter, and 120-meter paleo-shorelines on other submerged banks in the Borderland where the E/V Nautilus has subsequently collected bathymetric and backscatter maps since the 2017 cruise; (2) mapping the interior of several of the caves using a diver guided 3D imaging system; (3) using the ASV to locate possible cave entrances along deeper paleo-shorelines, (4) following that effort with a visual inspection of any new caves using the ROVs, and finally; (5) collecting water and/or sediment samples within selected caves to better understand the fish populations living within the caves through eDNA analysis. 

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.

Place-based fisheries and coastal zone managers depend on fine scale bathymetry and habitat maps for an array of critical decisions including: navigational safety, disaster response, endangered species and fisheries management, conservation, research, energy development, and marine planning. Yet, in southern California nearly 90% of U.S. waters remain unmapped at an appropriate resolution. As of 2014, the unmapped area within NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) was over 50% with the majority being characterized by single beam and lead line data from the 1930s. To address this critical information gap, offices across the NOAA family, together with other state and federal partners are uniting and filling the void.