Return of the King
While wandering through the kelp forests of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, lucky divers may see the elusive king of this watery realm—the giant sea bass. These fish are at the top of the kelp forest food web, but little is known about them. Due to a history of overfishing, the population has been critically low for at least four decades. But that may be changing: there have been recent consistent sightings of the enormous fish in sanctuary waters.
A new multi-year research project led by Ryan Freedman and other sanctuary researchers is using technology to track giant sea bass and to listen in to their environment and vocalizations. A regional collaboration between the sanctuary and partner research organizations is also seeking to better understand the fish’s role in the marine environment, as well as how humans affect it. Using modern technology, researchers will have front row seats to watch giant sea bass return to the kelp fronds. Long may they reign!
