The survey domain, from Cape Flattery, WA to Central Baja California, Mexico, was defined primarily by the modeled distribution of potential habitat for the northern subpopulation (stock) of Pacific Sardine (Zwolinski et al., 2011), with a southern extension permitted by available sampling effort.

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Our routine ecosystem survey will make hydrographic measurements with a CTD, collect water samples for chemical analyses with a Niskin bottle rosette, and collect zooplankton samples with towed plankton nets at an array of stations along transect lines extending across the Oregon and the northern California coast. Beam trawling will also occur at a subset of inshore stations.

Determine the selectivity characteristics of the Nordic 264 midwater trawl in relation to potential escapement of coastal pelagic species (CPS) between Newport, Oregon and San Diego, California.
The following are specific objectives for this survey.

I.D.1. Continuously sample pelagic fish eggs using the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES). The data will be used to locate potential adult CPS schools to fish on in the evening hours.

Determine the selectivity characteristics of the Nordic 264 midwater trawl in relation to potential escapement of coastal pelagic species (CPS) between Newport, Oregon and San Diego, California.
The following are specific objectives for this survey.

I.D.1. Continuously sample pelagic fish eggs using the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES). The data will be used to locate potential adult CPS schools to fish on in the evening hours.

Survey the distributions and abundances of pelagic fish stocks, their prey, and their biotic and abiotic environments in the area of the California Current between San Francisco, California and San Diego, California.
The following are specific objectives for the spring CalCOFI.

I.D.1. Continuously sample pelagic fish eggs using the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES). The data will be used to estimate the distributions and abundances of spawning hake, anchovy, mackerel, and Pacific sardine.

This project continues long-term studies of the Northern California Current (NCC) pelagic ecosystem and includes study of broad-scale patterns of hydrography, phytoplankton and zooplankton and ocean acidification/hypoxia in the NCC Large Marine Ecosystem off Oregon and Washington. Ecosystem studies were initiated in 1996, and studies of ocean acidification/hypoxia were initiated in 2010.

Many species of rockfishes live in complex rocky habitats, have been over-fished, and are difficult or
impossible to accurately survey using conventional bottom-trawl gear. Our ability to count these species
in rocky habitats and to delineate the distribution and extent of these habitats is critical to the estimation
of absolute abundance of these species for stock assessments. To that end, NMFS is pursuing the
Untrawlable Habitat Strategic Initiative (UHSI) field research in the Southern California Bight.

Our routine ecosystem survey will make hydrographic measurements with a CTD, collect water samples for chemical analyses with a Niskin bottle rosette, and collect zooplankton samples with towed plankton nets at an array of stations along transect lines extending across the Oregon and the northern California coast. Beam trawling will also occur at a subset of inshore stations.

1. Sample for pelagic fishes including juvenile and immature salmon.
2. Document the spatial distribution of macroplankton within the study area
3. Characterize water column properties throughout the study area.
4. Conduct marine mammal and seabird observations