Here is a brief synopsis of one tech report on our current conditions.
Anchovies?! Looks like we may
continue to have lots of humpbacks. Being most thankful for our March
rain!
shirley johnson
shirley johnson
thusone@xxxxxxx
"Burgeoning populations of anchovy and a healthy crop of California sea lion
pups reflected improved productivity off parts of the West Coast in 2019.
However, lingering offshore heat worked against recovery of salmon stocks and
reduced fishing success, a new analysis reports.
The California Current Ecosystem Status Report
<https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2020/02/g-1-a-iea-team-report-1.pdf/>
explains that ocean conditions off the West Coast remain unusually variable.
This has been the case since the arrival of a major marine heatwave in 2014
known as “The Blob.” NOAA Fisheries’ two West Coast laboratories, the Northwest
Fisheries Science Center and Southwest Fisheries Science Center, issue the
report each year to the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
“There is not a real clear picture here,” said Chris Harvey, co-editor of the
report developed by the two laboratories’ Integrated Ecosystem Assessment
<https://www.integratedecosystemassessment.noaa.gov/regions/california-current>
approach. The approach integrates physical, biological, economic, and
importantly social conditions of the California Current marine ecosystem into
the decision-making process. “On the one hand, we have a lot of anchovy out
there. On the other hand, we also have a lot of warm water. That is not usually
a sign of improved productivity.”
Lingering Warm Waters
A marine heatwave rivaling “The Blob” emerged in the Pacific in the second half
of 2019 but waned by the beginning of 2020. The repeated warm events have left
a remnant reservoir of heat deep in offshore waters. That could help “tilt” the
system in a way that favors future heatwaves."
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/west-coast-waters-shift-toward-productive-conditions-lingering-heat-may-tilt-marine
<https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/west-coast-waters-shift-toward-productive-conditions-lingering-heat-may-tilt-marine>
