Herring stocks were surveyed hydroacoustically and sampled in San Francisco Bay from November 1984 to March 1985. A maximum of 13 schools entered the Bay and spawned between November 1 and March 10, although large schools (greater than 1000 tons) occurred only from mid-December to March. Total biomass estimate from hydroacoustic surveys was approximately 29 500 tons, and it was determined that at least 5500 additional tons were not detected. This is an increase from last season's adjusted total of approximately 25 000 tons. Although different from MRR's biomass estimate from spawn escapement plus commercial landings(40 000 tons in 1983-84 and 46 000 tons in 1984-85), hydroacoustic estimates showed a similar trend of recovering stock biomass.Sixty-six samples, containing a total of 8031 herring, were collected with variable-mesh gill net and midwater trawl or obtained from the roundhaul and gill net fisheries. The usual pattern of decreasing mean length and age of herring as the season progressed was observed.Small schools that spawned in November and December consisted primarily of 3- to 6-yr-old herring. Two-yr olds became a significant part of spawning schools beginning in mid-January. The 1982 and 1983 yr classes(3- and 2-yr olds) comprised 81-94% by number of schools spawning from mid-January to March, with the 1982 yr class being particularly strong.Recovery from poor growth conditions during the 1982-83 El Nino event was evidenced by age-length and age-weight relationships, particularly for younger fish. Mean body length for 2-, 3-, and 4-yr-old herring averaged 8 mm greater than in 1983-84. Weight at age was 24 to 41%higher for ages 2 to 6 yr and 15 to 16% higher for 7- and 8-yr olds.Average fecundity was estimated from egg counts from 94 unripe herring. Mean value was 227.1 eggs/g with a 95% confidence interval of 5.1 eggs/g.Survival of young-of-the-year (YOY) herring from 1983-84 spawns was greater than from the previous season. The positive correlation previously observed between relative abundance of YOY herring from the Department's Bay-Delta Project samples and the resultant year class strength of newly recruited herring in San Francisco Bay's spawningstocks was not evident this season; the contribution of the 1983 yr class (2-yr olds hatched during the 1982-83 season) was better than expected. (84pp.)

This report is the second quarterly report submitted in partial fulfillment of Research Contract No. S-1902 between the Department of Fish and Game and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Through this contract the Department of Fish and Game is to conduct a pre-operational ecological study to establish a base line inventory of the marine biotawith special reference to fish and to abalone, including food chains.Quarterly reports will be followed by annual reports. The first annual report will cover work through December 31, 1972. Full tables and species lists will be included in each annual report. Complete records of observations and measurements are kept in files at the Marine Resources Laboratory, Monterey.

The California Department of Fish and Game and the State Water Resources Control Board (through Regional Board #3, Central Coast) entered into an agreement whereby Department biologist-divers conducted a subtidal ecological investigation of the marine environment in thevicinity of the city of Carmel ocean outfall in Carmel Bay. The objective of the study was to provide the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) with data to assist them in evaluating the effects of the discharge on the marine environment at five stations selected by the RWQCB adjacent to the outfall terminus and two at a control area off Granite Point (Figure 1), and to provide pre-discharge data for a new discharge being constructed adjacent to the existing one.The determinations made by biologist-divers included: (i) the number and diversity of plant and animal life; (ii) substrate characteristics; and (iii) physical parameters, including water temperature and clarity.The State Water Resources Control Board reimbursed the Department for some expenses incurred during this study. The work was performed by California Department of Fish and Game biologists from the Department's research vessel KELP BASS.

The California Department of Fish and Game and the State Water Resources Control Board (through Regional Board #3, Central Coast) entered into an agreement whereby Department biologist-divers conducted a subtidal ecological investigation of the marine environment in the vicinity of the Wedron Silica discharge. The objective of the study was to provide the Regional water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) with data to assist them in evaluating the effects of the discharge on the marine environment.The determinations made by biologist-divers consisted of:(i) comparative abundance and diversity of plant and animal life; (ii) substrate characteristics; and (iii) limited physical measurements, including water temperature and clarity.The State Water Resources Control Board reimbursed the Department for part of the expenses incurred during this study. (24pp.)

California's 1972 ocean shrimp landings totaled 2,488,683 pounds, a decrease of 585,857 pounds from the 1971 season when 3,074,540 pounds were landed. The decrease resulted primarily from the failure of the vessels to reach the quotas in Areas A, B-1 and B-2. (18pp.)

The California Department of Fish and Game and the State Water Quality Control Board (through Regional Board No. 9 - San Diego) entered into an agreement 1 July 1970, whereby Department biologist-divers would resurvey the marine environment off the western shore of Point Lorna, San DiegoCounty, California. The investigation was to consist of a comparison of present conditions to those found in 1965 (Turner, Ebert and Given, 1968). This information would then be used by the Board to evaluate environmentalchanges (if any) which have occurred following the operation of the Point Loma ocean outfall.Determinations to be made at each station included, but were not limited to: (i) the number and diversity of plant and animal life; (ii) substrate characteristics; and (iii) physical conditions of the water.The Board reimbursed the Department for part of the expenses incurred during the course of this investigation.

The second phase of ecological studies at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant site was initiated in July 1973. The first, phase conducted during 1970-71 involved baseline ecological surveys with special reference to abalone and bony fishes. The objectives of this second phase are to quantitativey monitor abalone and algal communities, including predatorsand competitors, along permanent intertidal and subtidaltransects established during the first phase.During the quarter nine permanent transects were located and marked with new buoys. Surveys on seven of these transects were completed, and the commercial sea urchin and red abalone fisheries operating in the Diablo Cove area were monitored.Sea otter activities between Diablo Cove and Pt. Buchon were recorded to determine the location of the herd and their general food habits. Little evidence of feeding activity has been observed in Diablo Cove.Temperature tolerance studies, began in March 1973 on red abalones, were continued. Problems in obtaining viable abalone larvae hampered this project.(11pp.)

During the January 1 - March 31, 1977 quarter,28 launch ramps, hoists and boat rental locations were sampled 166 times. During the sample days 9,209 anglers and 496 divers were interviewed. They expended 61,347 effort hours and landed 22,454 fishes of 133 identified species.The ten most commonly landed species were: 1) white croaker, Genyonemus lineatus, 16%; 2) Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis, 7%; 3) blue rockfish, Sebastes mystinus, 5%; 4) olive rockfish, S. serranoides, 5%; 5) ocean whitefish, Caulolatilus princeps, 5%; 6) barred sand bass, Paralabrax nebulifer, 5%; 7) Pacific mackerel, Scomberjaponicus, 3%; 8) bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis, 3%; 9) kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus, 3%; and10) copper rockfish, Sebastes caurinus, 3%. (23pp.)

This report is the first quarterly report submitted in partial fulfillment of Research Contract No. S-1902 between the Department of Fish and Game and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Through this contract the Department of Fish and Game is to conduct a pre-operational ecologicalstudy to establish a base line inventory of the marine biota with special reference to fish and to abalone, including food chains.Quarterly reports will be followed by annual reports. The first annual report will cover all work from September 1971 through December 1972. Full tables and species lists will be included in each annual report.

Department biologists, under contract for the State Water Resources Control Board, conducted a survey of the marine environment in the vicinity of two oil field brine discharges at Huntington Beach. Survey procedures included benthic grabs, diver observations, bottom trawls and measurements of water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations. A stratified random sampling plan was used to locate the 12 station areas surveyed. Water depth ranged from 9 to 15 m (30 to 50 ft). The results of this survey do not indicate that the discharges are having an effect on the benthic populations sampled. It is concluded that the scope of the survey was not sufficient to conclusively evaluate the effects of the two discharges. Recommendations are made for additional surveys to include intensive sampling of populations at the discharge depth and shoreward over an extended period of time, rather than a survey of the type conducted over a single period of time. (26pp.)