Using feeding ecology of the gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) to evaluate marine protected areas

Erin Loury
eloury@mlml.calstate.edu

M.S. Thesis Project:
Using feeding ecology of the gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) to evaluate marine protected areas.

Research:
Marine protected areas function in the ocean the way national parks do on land – they protect the valuable wildlife and habitats within their borders from exploitation and other human activities. In September 2007, the state of California established a series of marine protected areas (or MPAs) along the central California coast, as the start of the first state-wide network of MPAs in the nation. 13 of these MPAs consisted of marine reserves, the highest level of protection.
For my thesis, I will be collecting baseline data on the feeding ecology of the gopher rockfish in three of these marine reserves (Ano Nuevo, Point Lobos and Point Buchon). The gopher rockfish is a common, nearshore fish that feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates. I will use traditional gut content analysis and stable isotope analysis (a method to determine trophic level) to characterize the role of the gopher rockfish in the marine foodweb at each reserve. Future studies can use my data as a reference point to determine the effect of protection on the ecosystem via changes in the foodweb.
I will also look at the effects of extended fishing closure on the food web by examining the diet of fish from the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, which has been closed to fishing since 1973. The results of my study will help evaluate the effectiveness of these central coast MPAs as a type of “ecosystem-based management,” which seek to protect the structure, function and integrity of marine ecosystems.

More about me:

I grew up in San Jose, CA, and graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences (and a minor in English!) from UC Davis in 2007. Before coming to Moss Landing I participated in a research apprenticeship at Friday Harbor Laboratories (University of Washington), studying the pelagic environment of the San Juan Islands. In addition to science, my other passions are education and outreach, especially through writing, and I hope to pursue science communication after finishing my Master’s.

I currently help maintain The Drop-In, the lab-wide student blog for MLML. Drop in to check out our cool adventures in research! http://mlmlblog.wordpress.com/