From the CIMI Dive Log 01/29/25
Date: 1/29/25
Research Divers: Peach and Jeff
Location: Ripper’s Cove, Empire Landing, and Torqua
Dive Objective: Observe kelp conditions, study plots, and new kelp recruitment. Test new camera housing.
Conditions: sunny, 30’ visibility, calm
DIVE NOTES
Camera Testing: Jeff successfully tested the new housing for the Olympus Tough Camera.
Ripper’s Cove Observations: Ripper’s Cove has a very healthy, shallow kelp forest in 10-25 feet of water. Ripe sporophylls were observed on many mature plants and kelp recruitment at this site was exceptionally strong.
Empire Landing SDSU Site: Conducted a video transect of all six study plots (same design as at Fox Landing: plots 1, 3, and 5 were cleared, while plots 2, 4, and 6 were controls/not cleared).No new kelp recruitment was observed in the cleared plots during a quick swim through, grazers like snails were abundant.
Torqua SDSU Site: Turf algae levels were significantly lower than observed in August. Sargassum horneri was much taller and more abundant here compared to the Toyon Pinnacle and Point sites. The early January Santa Ana winds/waves appeared to have minimal impact at Torqua and Empire compared to Toyon. Cleared plots largely remained free of new growth in the middle but there was significant sargassum growth (plants up to 3m) on the edges of plots. The Colpomenia algae that was abundant in August is now mostly gone. No new kelp recruitment was observed in the cleared plots during a quick swim through.
