Objective

This main goal of this project was to provide a training exercise for developing skills and mentoring new project participants. Our secondary objective was to answer the question: Does Thumbs Up deserve its name?

Some of the specific goals included:

• Compare survey information with Sonar Mapping data.

• Create a web space on Point Lobos site with:

  • Multimedia presentation (photos, video footage)

  • Nudibranch study

  • Partial survey of the pinnacle at 80ft and 60ft depths

  • Pinnacle top survey

Special Tools/Software Used:

• Garmin GPS housed in a waterproof container

• 3 SMBs for GPS data placement

• Software (GPS software, Global Mapper)

• Wetnotes in the ReefCheck format

Project Location

Thumbs Up is located at: N 36 31.5709, W121 56.2919, due north of the eastern edge of Whalers Cove. The pinnacle sits approximately 2500ft (or a 7 minute boat ride) from the boat ramp at Whalers Cove. The depth range is 50ft to 110ft at the (variable depth) base. Like many pinnacles in the area, the shallower portion is often subject to a significant amount of surge, particularly later in the day when wind velocity and swell size increase.

The pinnacle is oblong shaped, running (approximately) North to South, with a large (west to east) crack at the Southern end of the structure; the 'valley' of the crack sits at about 60ft deep. The top of the ridge contains a series of small peaks and valleys. The East side of the pinnacle is a sheer wall densely decorated with sponges & corynactus, while the western portion slopes to the base in gradual, more broken down manner. There is a mini pinnacle situated on the West side of the main structure.

While accessible primarily by boat, the site can be reached on a well-planned scooter dive under excellent diving conditions. Since Thumbs Up is within the Point Lobos Marine Reserve, reservations are required to dive at this site.

Project Support

BAUE chartered the Escapade to support our activities for the day. Permission and access for the boat to motor in the protected waters of the marine preserve was granted through Point Lobos State Park. We were allowed direct boat access from the wharf to the site on both project days. Subsequent dive groups (on day #2) loaded and off-loaded the Escapade from Whalers Cove.

Weather, Efficiency, and Experience

Late October presents a challenging time for dive projects due to higher wind velocity and bigger swells. Storms and general conditions are more intense during the late fall and winter season, at times confining dive boats to travel no further south than Monterey Bay.

Fortunately a window of favorable sea and weather conditions allowed us to conduct this project as far south as Carmel Bay. Even under these good conditions, participants experienced significant surge during their dives.

Dive teams were extremely organized, both on the surface and underwater. All teams worked together to perform their required underwater tasks, and everyone stayed on schedule. Surface managers did an excellent job of facilitating smooth transitions for groups loading and offloading the boat.

As always the crew of the Escapade did an impeccable job of supporting our efforts.

The combination of these factors enabled us to complete the project dives and objectives well ahead of schedule. The Escapade arrived back at the dock in Monterey before 4:00 p.m.

Results/What We Learned

We intentionally did a few things differently this year based on information gained through past experience, as well as a desire to grow in new directions.

This is what we tried and what we learned:

Project Forum: We tried using a specified 'project forum' as the primary means of communication for participants. Project overview, dive schedules, flow charts, team correspondences, FAQ's, and Rules of Engagement were posted on the forum. The forum had mixed results as a focal point of communication, as members seemed more responsive to email correspondence. Over time we will continue moving towards the forum format in order to streamline project organization.

Distribution of Roles: Team Captains were given more responsibility for planning, organizing, and executing team objectives. Co-Captains were assigned for larger teams to help distribute the workload and to foster more input among team members. The higher level of involvement by (all) members made the project more dynamic and successful.

Long-term Project Experience: Many BAUE divers are currently involved in ongoing/long-term projects with specific research objectives (Nudibranch project, Point Lobos Mapping, Reef Check, EJPP). These endeavors serve to hone skills and raise diver capacity. Divers are well-trained, familiar with their tasks, and are therefore less 'task-loaded' during project dives. More of their energy can be directed at research objectives, while less energy is expended towards dive logistics. Also, more experience leads to better data collection. The experience and proficiency gained by divers through long-term projects blends perfectly with single-day project events. These divers serve as strong and capable role models for newer divers.

Importance of Setup Day: We recognized the value of conducting a reconnaissance dive on the site prior to the (main) project day. Thumbs Up was relatively unfamiliar to us as a group, so during the set-up day we were able to establish our bearings, clearly identify the site, and determine the best way to initiate a comprehensive study of the pinnacle. Members of the setup teams were able to provide information to team captains, which simplified logistics and streamlined objectives. The setup day provided familiarity with the site and general conditions to the captain and crew, which ultimately enhanced our diver safety. If logistically possible, we will expand future projects to a 2-day format including reconnaissance/set-up.

Added Feature: This year we asked divers to submit a short narrative of the 'favorite thing we saw on our dives'. Project dives are by nature task or goal-oriented. While the accomplishment of a team objective instills a tremendous sense of fulfillment, most of us are primarily motivated by a deep and unabbreviated love of diving. The act of sharing a dive 'highlight' was a reminder that we dive for fun, and provided a way to tap in to the joy and enthusiasm derived by our team-mates. It allowed us to know and appreciate one another better, as we vicariously enjoyed our team-mates' varied experiences.

Conclusion

From an organizational perspective, this project reinforced the efficiency of protocols and procedures developed in previous project endeavors. This event demonstrated the growing capacity of BAUE divers, as we comfortably executed the more complex logistics required to explore an offshore site in Carmel Bay in cooperation with the California State Park Services.

The project further demonstrated great progress in the strength and capacity of specified teams. Team objectives were successfully fulfilled in an expedient manner, with a high degree of flexibility among divers, resources, and on-the-fly dive planning. All divers and teams continued to show improvement in their data collecting skills.

Summary

Our goals this year were more 'process' than results oriented. The project was designed to provide mentorship and experiential learning for newer members and to act as a springboard to launch more challenging offshore projects for our growing pool of motivated technical divers.

We successfully met all of these objectives. We also determined that Thumbs Up most definitely deserves its name. We unanimously give this site a 'Two Thumbs Up' rating! Once again, favorable weather, exceptional crew, responsible team leaders, and dedicated divers converged to make the 2008 BAUE Group Project a positive and highly productive experience for all involved.

While keeping some of the RCC recommendations we have modified the protocol to fit our target location as the following:

1. The surveys where conducted following the 80 foot and 60 foot project survey lines. No time and distances restrictions where placed on the collection of data.

2. We did not lay down transect lines (measuring tape) because of the difficulty of securing these lines, the possible damage to marine life, and wasted time in recovering the line. Instead we use survey lines placed to 80 feet and 60 feet for the project.

3. Due to lack of time we surveyed fish, invertebrates, and algae together. We skipped UPC survey entirely. Instead of concentrating on the density of only the RCC species (34 fish, 28 invertebrates, 5 algae), we tried to recognize and record as many different species as possible. Time and our limited knowledge of species outside of the RCC protocol were the limiting factors.

Species list

Below is the list of species observed on Thumbs Up. Only RCC species are listed as the divers are only train in the identification of these. We are convinced that the actual species list is much longer, but we would need more time, more surveyors, and more experience in order to compile a complete list. Seasonal and conditional factors have also influenced our findings.

Fish
Out of 34 RCC species we observed 8 species on the Thumbs Up.

Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus)
Divers observed a big school, about 40 together during decent on the site.

Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus)
Divers observed a small schools about 5 to 10 together off the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Gopher Rockfish (Sebastes carnatus)
Divers observed multiple hiding between rocks at the 80 foot survey line.

Copper Rockfish (Sebastes Caurinus)
Divers observer copper rockfish under overhangs on the 80 foot survey line.

Brown Rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus)
Divers observed a single brown rockfish hidden in a crack off the 60 foot survey line.

Pile Perch (Rhacochilus vacca)
Divers observed one

Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus)
Divers observed one male at the 80 feet survey, and both a male and female on the 60 foot line.

Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
Photographic evidence.

Rockfish is the most common fish genus (Sebastes means magnificent) along the California coast. Heavy built, large mouth, often fat lips, average size is 1-2 feet, large dorsal fins are venomous. Some of them hide between rocks and in caves, e.g. Gopher, Copper, Black and Yellow, while others are found midwater, often among kelp blades, e.g. Blue, Black, Kelp. Some species are found mainly in deep water, e.g. Starry, Yelloweye are often several hundreds of feet deep. Some species swim in groups, e.g. Blue, Yellowtail, while others are solitary, e.g. Gopher, Vermilion. Rockfish are ovoviviparous, i.e. larvae develop in eggs inside the mothers body and the eggs are released just before hatching, several hundred thousands of them. Several species live a long life, e.g. Yelloweye and Tiger may live beyond 100 years. Rockfish diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, jellies, plankton, small fish.

Surfperch is another common group in our area (Embiotocidae means live birth). Thin compressed body, forked tail, usually less than a foot long. They are often found in schools and lead a much shorter life (6 - 10 years) than rockfish. They are viviparous, produce 10-30 live young per year and their diet consists of crustaceans, molluscs, algae.

Kelp greenling's name is of Greek origin and refers to its 10 lateral lines. Males and females have very different coloration, both have an elongated body. They are usually found on the rocky bottom and in dense algae at relatively shallow depth. They are solitary and territorial, live around 8 - 10 years, and have an average size of 1 foot. As in most fish, they are oviparous.

Invertebrate
Out of 28 RCC species we observed 9 species on Thumbs Up.

Bat Star (Patira miniata)
Divers observed many bat stars on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Giant Spinned Star (Pisaster giganteus)
Divers observed giant spinned stars on both 80 fort and 60 foot survey lines.

Chestnut Cowry (Cypraea spadicea)
Divers observed chestnut cowry on both 80 fort and 60 foot survey lines.

Rock Crab (Cancer spp.)
Divers observed a single rock crab in a crack of the 80 foot survey line.

Decorator Crab (Loxorhynchus crispatus)
Divers observed decorator crabs on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Gumboot Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri)
Divers observed a single gumboot chiton on the 80 foot survey line.

Rock Scallop (Crassedoma giganteum)
Divers observed a single Rock Scallop on the 80 foot survey line.

Large Anemones (Urticina lofotensis)
Divers observed Urticina lofotensis on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Purple Urchin (Strongylocentrotus ourouratus)
Divers observed small purple urchin in cracks on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Phylum Cnidaria - Jellies, anemonies, corals
Cnidarians represent the next level of body complexity. They are organized at the tissue level, have a nerve net but no brain, circular and longitudinal muscles, eyes or eye spots, and all are radially symmetric. The body consists of a sac to which water gives the structure and a single opening serves both as mouth and anus. Their common characteristics are the stinging cells called a cnidocyte that fires the nematocyst, a venomous weapon used in feeding and protection. There are two life forms in this group: medusa and polyp. They often form colonies where individuals have specific roles. The flower-like class, Anthozoa, contains the anemonies, corals, and gorgonians. Jellies form the class Scyphozoa, while the hydrocoral is in a separate Hydrozoa class. Cnidarians feed on algae, worms, crab, small fish, and paralyze prey with their tentacles. Some live in symbiotic relationship with algae (e.g. coral with zooxanthellae) that produces food via photosynthesis.

Phylum Mollusca - Snails, Clams, Chitons, Octopus
This is a very large and diverse group, containing several edible creatures, for example, abalone, scallop, muscles, and squid. Our favorite nudibranchs also belong here. Molluscs have soft body, muscular foot, and many have shells produced by an organ called the mantle. The mantle cavity, a double fold of the mantle, contains the gills, anus, gonads (sex organs), and may have respiratory, feeding, brooding, and locomotory functions. Molluscs have a nervous system with a brain, an excretory system similar to human kidney, a circulatory system (open except for Cephalopods), and a respiratory system. Radula, a characteristic toothed ribbon, scrapes, cuts, and chews food before entering the digestive tract. Species are often identified based on the radula's shape. Reproduction is always sexual and some groups, e.g. nudibranchs, are hermaphrodites. Torsion is an interesting developmental step in Gastropods (snails); part of their body is rotated 180 degrees, so the anus ends up above the head. This evolutionary advantage is not clear as secretion over the mouth and sensory organs seems counterproductive. Many species live on algae while others filter feed on plankton.

Phylum Arthropoda - Shrimp, Crab, Barnacle, Lobster
Most arthropods we encounter are crustaceans. This is another group of animals consumed by humans. They are highly evolved with well developed nervous, circulatory, and excretory systems. The body is segmented into the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head bears antennae, eyes, mouth, and the thorax has appendages. As the animal grows, the stiff exoskeleton is shed. Their diet consists of plankton, other invertebrates, and small fish.

Phylum Echinodermata - Sea Star, Sea Urchin, Sea Cucumber
The name is translated as spiny skinned and refers to the endoskeleton composed of calcium carbonate crystals. While the larvae are bilateral, the adults develop a pentaradial symmetry. Many species have a unique water vascular system which moves the hundreds of tube feet. Most are motile and some stars, e.g. the sunflower star, move with surprising speed when on the hunt for snails and bivalves. The sea urchin's beak like mouth is called Aristotle's lantern. Reproduction is sexual, most species broadcast eggs and sperms, and sexes are separate. Diet is quite varied in this group with sea urchins living on kelp, sea stars eating bivalves, snails, barnacles, and chitons, and finally the sea cucumber, who are the seafloor's vacuum cleaner eating sediment and detritus.

Algae - Seaweed
Out of 5 RCC species we observed 3 species on Thumbs Up.

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
Divers observed Giant Kelp on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Southern Sea Palm (Eisenia arborea)
Divers observed Southern Sea Palm on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

Pterygophora (Pterygophora california)
Divers observed Pterygophora on both the 80 foot and 60 foot survey lines.

The RCC list also contains Bull Kelp, and Laminaria, but we did not observe these species.

Seaweeds are macroscopic, muticellular marine algae. They belong to three phyla: brown, red, and green algae. Kelp is the label for large seaweed in the brown algae phyla. Algae like terrestrial plants produce high energy organic compounds and oxygen via photosynthesis. In addition to chlorophyll a and c, brown algae contains the brown pigment fucoxanthin, hence the brownish color. Red algae contains red pigment phycoerythrin and the blue pigment phycocyanin, hence the red or iridescent violet color. Although kelp look similar to terrestrial vascular plants, they do not have roots, stems, or leaves. The entire body is called a thallus, the thallus terminates on the ocean floor with a holdfast, a web of tubes usually grown around a large rock. These holdfasts prevent the kelp from being swept away by currents or storms. Kelp also have leaf-like blades extending from stipes and kept afloat by pneumatocysts (gas filled floats). Kelp has a complex life cycle which includes both sexual and asexual reproduction. The giant kelp we encounter is the sporophyte, the gametophyte is the microscopic version.

Nudibranch Survey Results

We surveyed nudibranchs on two dives, targeting different depths on the two dives. The first survey was conducted by paralleling the 60' survey line, slightly deeper than the line. The result was a survey averaging 70'. During our 40 minute survey, we covered the entire area that the survey line covered, starting at the end of the line on the southwest side, and completing the horseshoe at the southeast side.

The second survey was conducted along the bottom of the pinnacle, including some of the rubble areas at the base of the pinnacle, averaging a depth of 95'. This survey was conducted entirely on the east side of the pinnacle, and included portions of the pinnacle extending south of the end of the survey line. On both dives, we swam along the survey area, counting any species of slug that we passed. In addition to the species noted during the survey, two Doto amyra were spotted on the survey areas (one on a setup dive, and one by the photography team). So we know that this species was present on the pinnacle as well.

Based on the shape and depth of the pinnacle, 60’ and 80’ contours were selected to be the target of the line surveys. The survey teams were as follows:

80’ contour line team:
Ian Puleston, Marciano Moreno
Kevin Dow, Karl Haywood

60’ contour line team:
Suzanne Baird, Dionna House
Ian Puleston, Suzanne Baird

Top pinnacle survey
Susan Bird, Harry Babicka
Kevin Dow, Marciano Moreno, Harry Babicka

The survey lines were set a day prior to the project date by Susan Bird, Beto Nava, Karl Haywood and Kevin Dow. The setup teams reported fairly strong surge and variable visibility, not ideal conditions. On the project day the conditions stayed about the same. The visibility started at about 30’ and deteriorated throughout the day with the surge also contributing to the challenging conditions. The top pinnacle survey proved to be especially challenging as it was the most exposed. All teams were able to cope and completed both the 60’ and 80’ line survey with good results.

GPS readings were taken at the beginning of each line which was marked with a surface marker. This enabled the map overlay and comparison.

In summary, this day would not have been possible without the project planning process and the smooth coordination of the Escapade. Our project manager's flow chart kept us all on time and fully informed on what tasks were next. At the end of the day the team removed all the line, packed up the downlines and bouy's, and returned to the dock. With all our objectives of the day met, we retired to a local restaurant to eat and celebrate another project complete.