MCRI Research Archive
Below are the research projects (in PDF form where available) that the Aquarium of the Pacific has been involved in since the inception of MCRI.
National Park Service Kelp Monitoring Survey (2004)
Several Aquarium scientific divers participated in kelp monitoring survey cruises held by the National Park Service at the Channel Island Marine Sanctuary. Their contributions were especially valuable since kelp forest monitoring has been severely impacted due to limited funding by these agencies.
Abalone Surveys with California Department of Fish and Game (2004 - present)
In the spring of 2004 the Aquarium of the Pacific began a cooperative effort with the California Department of Fish and Game aimed at determining baseline data on existing populations of abalone at Santa Catalina Island. Scientific divers have conducted numerous monitoring trips at several locations around Catalina and the Palos Verdes peninsula.
Movement Patterns of the Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri) at Seal Beach, California (2003)
Scientific divers from the Aquarium assisted in this study involving the use of acoustic telemetry to determine how long round stingrays congregate at Seal Beach, and where they go after leaving the area.
Marine Biotoxin Monitoring for California Department of Health Services (2003 - present)
Since 2003 the Aquarium of the Pacific has been participating in a statewide project aimed at determining levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid toxins in marine bivalves and plankton.
The Fish Assemblage of the Outer Los Angeles Breakwater (2002 - 2003)
Scientific divers from the Aquarium conducted numerous surveys at two locations near the mainland and at Catalina Island as part of a project to assist California State University, Northridge master’s of science candidate John Froeschke in this study comparing species of fishes and schooling and aggregating behavior.