Photo: During a hook-and line-survey an ODFW staff holds a Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger) while the captain holds up a Black Rockfish (Sebastes melanops) as a volunteer biological assistant awaits to record their sizes.
This month our staff continued field work efforts for several projects:
Cape Perpetua and Cascade Head: Hook and line surveys were completed at Cape Perpetua and its associated comparison area. We saw several unique species including two Big Skates (Beringraja binoculata) and two Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). We also started hook and line surveys at the Cascade Head Marine Reserve. For both survey sites volunteers help us catch many different species of fish that ODFW staff measure and release.
Otter Rock and Redfish Rocks: We completed our final SMURF (Standardized Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes) surveys this month to study juvenile fish settlement in the nearshore environment. We partnered with OSU aboard the R/V Elakha to pull the moorings out of the water at Otter Rock.
Cape Falcon: Oceanographic moorings deployed at Cape Falcon Marine Reserve and Cape Mears were recovered with the help of a local Garibaldi vessel and fisherman. These moorings and their associated sensors collected data on temperature and oxygen.