The Project:
Marine biologists at Channel Islands National Park have been monitoring populations of marine species around the park islands since 1982. Fifteen years of study have shown a steady decrease in all five abalone species in this area. The White is seen the least.

White Abalone, unlike the green, red, pink and black species, tend to favor deeper waters - deeper than humans can go in scuba gear for prolonged periods of time.

Biologists at the Channel Islands National park will be using Delta, an electric submarine capable of diving up to 1200 feet, to search the ocean depths for the elusive White Abalone. The biologist will lay down on their stomach on the bottom of the sub and look out the front nose through several small port holes.

The research being done on the White Abalone may begin the process by which the species are categorized as endangered. Scientists aren't sure why abalone are disappearing and there have never been any successful breeding programs. Their scarcity may be the result of disease or over fishing. Abalone was a staple food for the Chumash people for thousands of years before the Spanish came to California. Of the 1500 piles of discarded shells (called midden) found in the park islands, most are abalone.

Abalone have continued to be heavily harvested throughout time. Fifty years ago you could walk most any tidepool beach in California and see abalone attached to the rocks at your feet. On Tuesday's submarine dive we will need to look over 100 feet deep in hopes of seeing White Abalone.

The Site:
The dive will take place off of Santa Cruz Island, one of the five northern Channel Islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park. One mile around each island is also part of the park. An additional five miles beyond has been designated Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Santa Cruz Canyon is an underwater area located on the south side of the west end of Santa Cruz Island. This deep canyon is connected to a 600-foot-deep basin (picture a 15- square-mile pit over a mile deep.) This canyon lies in the basin between an undersea mountain and the island.

At the bottom of the basin lays decaying biological material that scientists call "detritus." Strong ocean currents that travel across the bottom push the detritus into canyons and onto seamounts. Detritus feed plankton that is the basis for the ocean food chains. Santa Cruz Canyon should be an area rich with undersea organisms. Biologists hope to find White Abalone, but don't know what to expect as no one has been down in the area before.

Facts About The Park:

• Channel Islands National Park is concerned with preserving all species of plants and animals within park boundaries. In the water this includes: 1,000 species in the kelp forest, six species of pinniped (seals and sea lions), and 27 species of whales.
• Day and camping trips are available to the park islands. For information call the park headquarters at (805) 658-5700 or see us at our web site: www.nps.org/chis
• Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects 1252 square nautical miles of ocean around these park waters that are of national and global significance. They cant be reached at (805) 966- 7107 or at their web site: www.cinms.rain.org