Review the list of monitoring projects fully or partially funded by SIMoN below. A full description is available for each project.
Analysis of mussels collected near the Moss Landing Power Plant thermal outfall
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Mussel Watch Program began in 1986 in order to evaluate pollutant load in U.S. coastal waters by sampling concentrations of contaminants in the tissues of mussels and oysters. In 2006, additional sampling sites were added in the Moss Landing Harbor in order to investigate any differences in contaminant concentrations between mussels near the thermal discharge site of the Moss Landing Power Plant and original Mussel Watch sites. Initial findings show that of the 11 heavy metals sampled, only concentrations of Cadmium (Cd) were found to be higher in mussels near the outfall pipe.
Application of molecular genetic methods to rockfish predation and habitat association research efforts in Central California
This study used previously developed genetic methods to enhance ongoing research projects in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by identifying unknown rockfish (Sebastes spp.) samples to the species level.
Archival of Midwater and Benthic Survey Data at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Since the early 1970s, faculty and students in Marine Ecology, Invertebrate Zoology, and Ichthyology courses at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) have participated in class cruises aboard several research vessels to survey the fishes and invertebrates in shallow-benthic, deep-benthic and midwater habitats in Monterey Bay.
Big Sur Nearshore Characterization (BSNC)
Led by MBNMS staff, research divers qualitatively characterize subtidal (<20 m deep) algae, invertebrates, and fishes along the Big Sur coast, from Point Lobos to Cambria. These data are used to complement quantitative data collected by PISCO and fill in knowledge gaps.
Characterization of the Benthic and Planktonic Communities of Elkhorn Slough
Our goal is an ecosystem description of Elkhorn Slough that will serve as a baseline for assessments of the rapid change in this coastal habitat.
Coastal Ocean Mammal and Bird Education and Research Surveys (Beach COMBERS)
In 1997, we began a beach survey program called Coastal Ocean Mammal and Bird Education and Research Surveys (Beach COMBERS) using trained volunteers to survey beached marine birds and mammals monthly at selected sections of beaches from Wadell Creek to Morro Bay.
Comparison of discharge plumes from Elkhorn Slough and the Moss Landing Power Plant
This project describes and compares the general flow structure, dynamics and temperature differences between a thermal discharge from an anthropogenic point source (Moss Landing Power Plant) and the natural heat flux between two natural bodies of water, an estuary (Elkhorn Slough) and the open ocean.
Concentrations and Effects of Environmental Contaminants on the Health of California Sea Otters
This project examined liver tissue collected from 80 female sea otters during necropsies between 1992 and 2002. These females were collected from the coast of California within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Concentrations of some contaminants were higher in females that died from infectious diseases than in females that died from either emaciation or non-infectious causes. This link between contaminant burden in sea otters and susceptibility to disease is being actively pursued.
Davidson Seamount: Expedition in 2002
The Davidson Seamount is an impressive geologic feature located 120 km southwest of Monterey, California. This inactive volcano is roughly 2,300 m tall and 40 km long, yet its summit is far below the ocean surface (1,250 m). In May 2002, a diverse group of scientists led by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary embarked on an exploration to more fully characterize the Davidson Seamount.
Davidson Seamount: Marine Mammal Aerial Surveys
In 2010, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and its partners conducted two aerial surveys of the surface waters surrounding the Davidson Seamount, an area typically regarded as having a higher abundance and diversity of marine mammals and seabirds.
Deepwater Characterization and Baseline Monitoring in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
This project characterizes seafloor communities in the deeper waters of the MBNMS, including fish, macrofaunal invertebrates, and seafloor habitats. Baseline data are collected that can serve as the foundation for future monitoring efforts.
Ecological Effects of the Moss Landing Thermal Discharge
This study was designed to provide a quantitative evaluation of the impacts of the thermal discharge into the Sanctuary from the Moss Landing Power Plant.
Effect of the Moss Landing Power Plant thermal discharge plume on the distribution and behavior of sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis): a preliminary study
Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) have occupied various parts of Elkhorn Slough over the past few decades. Recently, a large raft of otters has been noted just within the Moss Landing harbor entrance. In addition, some otters have been observed within and adjacent to the thermal plume generated by the Moss Landing Power Plant. This project studies sea otter behavior in and adjacent to the plume.
Fish Surveys at the Moss Landing Power Plant Outfall
This is the first study to characterize the fish assemblage associated with the thermal outfall structure used to discharge heated sea water generated by the Moss Landing Power Plant.
Hydrodynamics and sedimentation in Elkhorn Slough
The goal of this project is to develop a calibrated 3D circulation model for Elkhorn Slough capable of predicting currents, water levels and transport. It is also intended to be
used to estimate rates of sediment erosion, deposition, and transport.
Influence of varying tidal exchange on the fish and crab assemblages of Elkhorn Slough
This study investigated how assemblage structure, species distribution and the abundance patterns of fishes and crabs are influenced by variation in tidal flow and freshwater input throughout shallow-water habitats in the Elkhorn Slough estuary.
Literature Review To Characterize Environmental Contaminants That May Affect The Southern Sea Otter
The objectives of this study are to characterize environmental contaminants present in sea otter habitats that may affect population recovery, synthesize existing data on contaminant concentrations, and map their distribution.
Long-term Monitoring of Groundfishes in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Because many populations of fish and invertebrates are declining, we are developing a long-term monitoring plan to assess changes of benthic fishes and macroinvertebrates in the in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Initially we conducted submersible to survey groundfishes in selected deep rocky continental shelf and slope habitats of the sanctuary.
Long-term monitoring of Northern Elephant Seals: colony development and growth rates in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
We initiated a study of the population in 1968 involving systematic censuses and mark/recapture studies on the major rookeries which continues to the present; this long-term study permits a detailed documentation of population growth and colonization of the Sanctuary via dispersion and emigration.
Long-term Studies of Seabirds on Año Nuevo Island and Mainland
Long-term monitoring of seabirds on Año Nuevo Island by PRBO Conservation Science.
Management program for the invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida
We are monitoring the spread of the invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida within the Monterey Harbor, and studying the effectiveness of manual removal of Undaria from harbor docks and pier pilings.
Marine Protected Area Monitoring and Shelf Characterization in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
This project will assess the functionality of the Sanctuary's towed camera sled for collecting data on seafloor habitats and associated communities in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Marine Resources Survey in Big Sur
Highway 1 in Big Sur is often subject to delays and closures due to storms, washouts, and landslides. The Big Sur Coast Highway Management Plan (CHMP) develops sustainable strategies that ensure the safe and efficient operation of the highway while protecting the unique terrestrial and marine resources. The Marine Resources Survey will characterize targeted intertidal and nearshore subtidal areas along the Big Sur coast.
Multibeam bathymetry mapping of priority habitat areas with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The goal of this project was to provide high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and sonar-derived habitat GIS products for several of the priority mapping areas primarily along the central coast of California from Yankee Point (near Carmel) to the southern MBNMS boundary (near Cambria) at depths <80 m.
Nutritional Constraints on Sea Otters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
We are investigating nutritional constraints on southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) by examining the nutrient composition of sea otter prey while coupling these data with studies on otter foraging behavior.
Phytoplankton toxins in critical prey species in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Domoic acid (DA) is natural toxin produced by certain species of phytoplankton. When consumed by higher predators (e.g., marine mammals, birds, fishes), DA can cause sickness or death. This project studies samples from current research programs and past studies to the distribution and transmission of this toxin within the food web of Monterey Bay.
Seafloor Mapping in Monterey Bay, Cordell Bank, and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Geological Survey scientists in mapped and characterized seafloor area on the continental shelf in three West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries using side-scan sonar and underwater video technology.
Shoreline Inventory of the black abalone, Haliotis cracherodii
Populations of black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) have been steadily declining in the southern portion of the species’ range due to a fatal disease called “withering syndrome." Researchers from the University of California at Santa Cruz work with the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network and the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Study of Coastal Oceans monitoring groups to monitor and document the northward progression of WS along the central California coast.
Tracking Sooty Shearwater habitat use throughout dynamic upwelling ecosystems in the California Current
Scientists tracked Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) within the California Current ecosystem during their summertime feeding period and used the data to locate aggregations of prey species such as anchovy, sardine, krill and squid.
Understanding the effects of tidal wetland management on estuarine invertebrate assemblages in Elkhorn Slough
We collect benthic invertebrate data from poorly characterized sites feeding into the main channel of Elkhorn Slough (ES) to inform wise management by the ES National Estuarine Research Reserve and the ES Foundation.
For Website comments/questions, use the comments form.
For programmatic comments and questions, contact the appropriate SIMoN staff. Privacy Policy Statement.
and Twitter 
