National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Development of Proxies to Evaluate pH and Oxygen Exposures
The working hypothesis of this project is that low pH/low oxygen conditions generate distinctive chemical signatures in the carbonate structures of marine invertebrates and thus can be used as prox

Climate Change and the Phenology of Plankton and Fish Production in the California Current
Since 1950, the average surface water temperature at the Scripps Pier in La Jolla has risen by about 3 degrees.

Minimizing the Use of Fishmeal and Fish Oil in the Diet of California Yellowtail, Seriola lalandi—A Top Candidate for Offshore Aquaculture
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is partnering with the USDA, University of Idaho and Universidad Autónoma de Baja California to develop fish feeds with little or no fish protein and fish oil.

Understanding Roles of Competing Bacterial Endosymbionts in Abalone Health, Management and Restoration
Several years ago, a new rickettsia-like organism (RLO) was observed in the tissues of farmed abalone.

Estimating the Impact of Invasive Spartina densiflora on Primary Productivity in Humboldt Bay
Four species of non-native Spartina, commonly called “cordgrass,” are found along the West Coast of the United States and Canada.

High-Throughput Molecular Identification of Fish Eggs and Larvae
The distribution of fish eggs in the ocean provides valuable insights into the location and timing of fish spawning.

Biogeographical Variation in Trophic Interactions on Temperate Reefs of the Southern California Bight
The working hypothesis of this project is that the no-take fishing zones established recently in Southern California under the Marine Life Protection Act will alter, perhaps significantly, foodweb

Effects of Marine Reserves on Behaviorally Mediated Changes in Spawning Success of California Sheephead
In the first year of this project, researchers assessed the effects of the Catalina Island marine reserve on fish density, biomass, size structure, sex ratios and habitat preferences.

Beaches as Threatened Ecosystems: An Evaluation of Status and Trends in the Ecology of California’s Sandy Beaches
Preliminary field surveys suggest that beach grooming and other human activities may be extirpating some wrack-associated invertebrates, which are often prime food for shorebirds.

Making Restoration More Efficient: Testing the Contributions of Planting Diversity and Tamarisk Legacy Effects to Recovering Tidal Marshes
There is often little funding for restoration of coastal wildlife areas, once they have been cleared of non-native plant species, such as tamarisk (also known as salt cedar).