The ocean last spring was still warmer than normal due to the strong El Niño conditions which existed in 1993. The El Niño of 1992 was stronger then the previous one in 1986, but not as strong as the one in 1983 that triggered severe storms throughout California and caused extensive property damage. Elevated ocean temperatures during the past winter may have contributed to the drought ending rainfall that we received in 1993. Sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific indicate that El Niño conditions may redevelop during 1993-94. The lack of strong upwelling and surface winds along the coast last spring has allowed some warm water to persist along parts of California. Ocean surface temperatures dropped in the late spring and early summer of 1993 as the interior warmed and upwelling along the coast began. Cooling water conditions as late as August seemed to repeat those of 1992 which was considered a precursor to re-development of warm water conditions in November and December, but it is also possible that 20 months of warm water anomalies may be ending 1994.
Deep water longnose lancetfish, Alepisarus ferox (meaning scaleless serpent), were found on local beaches around Fort Bragg during the stronger period of upwelling last summer. Some of them were still alive when found, and were in excellent condition. This unusual species is rarely caught by fishermen, and are usually in poor shape by the time they are brought up in nets. They have been taken from as deep as 6000 feet. Early in August a leatherback turtle was seen in the waters off Fort Bragg; the turtle was presumably feeding on the abundant jellyfish (Chrysophora) in the area.
Shark Attack - A white shark attack on an abalone diver occurred off Westport, a small coastal village north of Fort Bragg, in early August. The victim was diving in shallow water approximately 300 yards offshore and was bitten over the face and shoulders while ascending from a dive. The diver was able to fend off the attack and swim to a nearby rock. Friends rescued him from the rock and retrieved his float and abalone. The injured diver had lost much blood during the rescue. He was transported by helicopter to Fort Bragg where over 100 stitches were required to close the wounds. Personnel on the scene noted numerous sea lions and seals up on the rocks, an unusual occurrence for this area. Two seals recovering from wounds were found several miles south near Caspar two days later. Divers should note that diving in areas with numerous seals and sea lions may not be safe due to the possible presence of predators such as the white shark.
The quarantine on sport harvested mussels goes into effect on May 1 and ends October 31. Monitoring stations are sampled twice a month during the quarantine period. Samples collected during the month of October were below the alert level for PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning) and domoic acid. Call (510) 540-2605 for new information.
A trial program for the collection of plankton species from the open ocean was started by the California Department of Health Services shellfish biotoxin monitoring program. The Fort Bragg DFG office has volunteered to collect regular samples from the waters one mile outside Noyo Harbor for this program. A phytoplankton net is used to collect samples at sea.
The plankton species composition from the samples will be analyzed and numbers of toxin producing species will be monitored. It is hoped that toxic phytoplankton blooms will be detected before shellfish resources are affected. Shoreline areas where blooms occur will then be targeted for shellfish monitoring to insure the safety of the consumer. - WV
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