Year
2019
operation area
US West Coast
deployment location
Neah Bay, WA; San Diego, CA
purpose
Saildrone and NOAA’s Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers performed the second joint integrated survey of the US West Coast, collecting data on Pacific hake and five coastal pelagic species integral to the California Current Ecosystem. The mission follows up last year’s successful 100-day mission to survey these fish stocks, count marine mammals, and test how uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) can augment ship-based sampling. The 2019 mission combined the efforts of seven saildrones and research teams onboard NOAA FSVs (NWFSC) and Reuben Lasker (SWFSC) to survey the full length of the US West Coast from San Diego, CA, to Cape Flattery, WA.
results
The 2019 mission included more granular coverage near shore to depths as shallow as 7 meters, as well as transect extensions up to 140 nautical miles offshore.
"What made the 2019 survey unique was the close adherence to the requirement that the saildrones stay within three to five days of the Shimada. It was one of the most challenging aspects of the mission requiring a lot of planning and constant communication, but it came off very well thanks to active cooperation on both sides and the responsiveness of the team at Saildrone Mission Control."
Sandy Parker-Stetter, supervisory research fish biologist at NOAA Fisheries NWFSC
notable
The 2019 mission was completed in just 60 days and included more granular coverage near shore, to depths as shallow as seven meters (23 feet), as well as transect extensions up to 140 nautical miles (260 kilometers) offshore.
partners
