The Status of Ten Fisheries
in the Santa Monica Bay

July 2001 - -

The graphs analyzed throughout this report were created using data obtained from the California Department of Fish and Game regarding recreational fish landings in the Santa Monica Bay from the years 1980 through 1999. These 10 fish graphs were chosen from the full set of 187 because they exhibited significant visible trends and therefore called for further investigation and explanation.

Many complicated factors, such as changing ocean temperatures and weather patterns, fishing pressures, and gear or take restrictions, can affect the number of fish caught in a specific area over a period of time. Consequently, the trends in landing data do not always signify accurate trends in fish abundance. Using information collected from interviews and internet research, this report attempts to explain how these factors may have influenced the trends seen on each graph.

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