Foundation Supports Marine Biology Research at CSULB

For nearly two years, California State University Long Beach graduate student, Chris Martin, spent a good deal of time conducting scuba surveys around the offshore oil platforms off Long Beach and Huntington Beach to determine what fish species are found there and how these platforms may differ in their fish species compared to those in the Santa Barbara Channel. Chris's work was in part supported by a monetary award from the LARRC Foundation.

This past April 2008, CSULB Marine Biology Professor Chris Lowe and his student Chris Martin were guest speakers at the monthly LARRC Dinner Meeting. They were there to discuss a variety of research being conducted at CSULB, including quantifying the ecological importance of offshore petroleum platforms, the effects of catch and release practices on gamefishes

"I like to look at this as a great example of us connecting with our community and getting this support from our alumni base in a way that is geared toward their interest," Lowe said. "They're giving back to something that they really feel strongly about. While these gentlemen aren't marine biology graduates, they're fishermen. They love to fish and they see our program as future of marine conservation in California. This, they hope, will enable their kids' or their grandkids' to continue to enjoy the recreation of fishing."

Foundation Trustee, Tom Carlisle, points out that some of Prof. Lowe's research has provided data that informed the publication by the Department of Fish & Game of an illustrated brochure that explains methods that help anglers ensure that the fish they release survive.

A copy of this brochure, "Bring That Rockfish Down," is avalable by CLICKING HERE.

Copies of Prof. Lowe's research papers are also available here:
The effects of barotrauma on the catch-andrelease survival of southern California nearshore and shelf rockfish (Scorpaenidae, Sebastes spp.)

Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the effcts of angling-induced barotrauma on rockfish (Sebastes)

Also of interest:
Fine-scale movement patterns, site fidelity, and habitat selection of ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps)