Marine Resources
The Gaviota Coast forms the northern shore of the biologically
important Santa Barbara Channel. This area’s complex
sea bottom topography of ridges, islands, and basins greatly influences
such factors as current flow and sediment transport to create
a diverse collection of marine environments. The Gaviota
Coast is continually enriched by converging currents which mix
northern and southern species, producing a transition zone of
increased biodiversity. Frequent winds create an up-welling
of nutrient rich water--one of the factors that accounts for the
high productivity and diversity of the region.
The Channel Islands that border the Gaviota Coast on the south
support unique and important marine communities and also shelter
the mainland coast form the direct force of incoming south swell.
Point Conception provides shelter form northwest swells.
The Channel thus comprises a relatively protected and benign
environment for marine organisms. The Channel lies along
important migration routes for marine mammals, fishes, and seabirds
and also contains a rich, diverse assemblage of resident marine
life. These abundant marine resources support a number
of 
important
commercial fisheries, aquaculture, kelp harvesting, and serve
as the research field for unique University programs.
Some of the marine animals to be found along the Gaviota Coast
include Albacore, Northern Anchovies, Pacific Bonito, Mackerel,
and in years with warmer currents, Yellow Fin Tuna, Dorado,
and Striped Marlin. In addition, Dolphins, Gray Whales
and other marine mammals can be found in large numbers off
the
Gaviota Coast. This area also supports such endangered
species as the Gualdalupe Fur Seal, the Blue Whale,
the Tidewater Goby and the Southern Steelhead Trout.
When considering the Marine Resources of the Gaviota Coast,
it is important to recognize that marine ecosystems are intimately
related with their terrestrial counterparts. What takes
place on land can have profound effects on neighboring watersheds.
For more information on the Gaviota Coast’s terrestrial resources,
contact the Santa
Barbara Natural History Museum.
Note: Species listed are determined to
be endangered
or threatened.
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