DAVIS -- A comprehensive new guide to California's marine life developed by leading government and university scientists promises to become a landmark reference for the general public and researchers alike.
California's Living Marine Resources: A Status Report is a 592-page, spiral-bound handbook published by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the University of California's Sea Grant program. It can be ordered from UC's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR).
Known also as "The Blue Book," the report examines the current status of the state's commercial and recreational fisheries and discusses the natural history of many of the plants and animals of California's marine environment. The book draws on the expertise of more than 125 leading scientists and provides valuable insight into the relationship between the ecological health of California's marine resources and its contributions to the state's economic prosperity. For example:
- The sardine industry, which had been the largest in the world during the early 1900s, became practically nonexistent in the 1960s. It reappeared under precautionary management in the 1990s and fully recovered by 1998.
- The commercial fishing industry generates approximately $550 million in total income and provides nearly 17,000 jobs.
- Recreational fisheries generate $5 billion in personal income and account for more than 150,000 jobs.
- California's market squid fishery has emerged as one of the most important in the state. In the 1990s it ranked as the largest and most valuable commercial fishery resource, generating up to $40 million annually.
- California's highly variable ocean conditions profoundly influence the abundance of many marine organisms and add to the complexity of managing living marine resources.
"California's dynamic and highly productive marine environment is home to a diverse array of marine life supporting valuable fisheries, recreation, tourism and aquaculture activities that generate billions of dollars and immeasurable enjoyment for the state's citizens," said UC Marine Fisheries Specialist Christopher Dewees.
"Califor-nia's growing population, the increasing worldwide demand for seafood, and the accumulating stresses on marine and coastal habitats make it a challenge to sustain our living marine resources and activities associated with them. Management of our marine resources needs to incorporate the best available scientific information."
Edited by William Leet and Dewees, marine scientists with UC's Sea Grant Extension Program, and Richard Klingbeil and Eric Larson, marine scientists with DFG, the report was two years in the making. The book's designer is Tom Jurach of UC Davis Repro Graphics.
The report provides readers with photos, along with population and biological information on the current state of more than 150 marine species. It includes the writings and contributions of more than 125 leading marine scientists affiliated with DFG, UC, the California State University, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and numerous private organizations.
With an emphasis on science, the book utilizes the best available information on oceanic and environmental conditions, law enforcement efforts and socio-economic considerations that affect management of the state's marine resources.
The status report was mandated under California legislation called the Marine Life Management Act of 1998. "This book will serve as the vehicle for resource managers to evaluate the effectiveness of California's fishery management programs," said Patricia Wolf, manager of DFG's Marine Region.
California's Living Marine Resources: A Status Report (ANR Publication # SG01-11) can be purchased for $25 (plus tax and shipping) from ANR Communication Services, University of California, 6701 San Pablo Avenue, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94608; phone 800-994-8849; Web site http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.
To download a free copy of the report or to print individual chapters, log on to DFG's Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/status. A CD-ROM version of the report is being prepared.
(EDITORS: A review copy of California's Living Marine Resources: A Status Report is available upon request. Contact Chamois Andersen at 916 657-4132 or CAndersen@dfg.ca.gov).