Pacific Hake and Coastal Pelagic Species Survey

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.

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.