(full paper is archived in the Miller Library)
Title: A comparative study of the fish population within
Hopkins Marine Life Refuge: 1969-1971 and 1996
Student Author(s): Chang, Marshall C-D
Macht, Peter J.
Rillorta, Shanette M.
White, Jenny A.
Faculty Advisor(s): Bernardi, Giacomo
Pages: 19
Location: Senior Thesis UC Santa Cruz
1996
Abstract: The presence and abundance of subtidal fish species
at Hopkins Marine Life Refuge(HMLR) were investigated in 1996 and
compared to a parallel study done by the California Department of
Fish and Game in 1969-1971. Decrease in abundance was observed in
blue rockfish, Sebastes mystinus, copper rockfish, Sebastes
caurinus, olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides , kelp
greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus, lingocd, Ophiodon
elogatus, kelp bass, Paralabrax chathratus, opaleye,
Girella nigricans, black surfperch, Embiotoca jacksoni,
kelp surfperch, Brachyistius frenatus, pile surfperch,
Damalichthys vacca, rainbow surfperch, Hypsurus caryi,
rubberlip surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes, sharpnose surfperch,
Phanerodon atripes, striped surfperch, Embiotoca
lateralis, and senorita, Oxyjulis californica. An
increase in abundance was seen in black-and-yellow rockfish,
Sebastes chrysomelas, kelp rockfish, Sebastes
atrovirens, and cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus.
Species encountered in 1996 but absent in the previous study were
treefish, Sebastes serriceps, thornback, Platyrhinoidis
triseriata, tubesnout, Aulorhynchus flavidus,
snubnose sculpin, Orthonopias triacis, corraline
sculpin, Artedius corallinus, and California halibut,
Paralichtys californicus. Two of the newly observed species,
treefish and snubnose sculpin, are southerly distributed species that
may have displayed a northward shift in distribution.