The Fish Population Associated with an Offshore Water Intake Structure

Abstract

The fish population associated with an offshore water intake structure by Mark Helvey and Philip Dorn, Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci., 80(1):23-31. This area off Southern California is described from underwater observations. The intake structure was monitored for a year and found to support a diverse population of water column and benthic oriented species. Many fishes resided at the intake year round while others were seasonal visitors. Several water column species including blacksmith, senorita, and jack mackerel interacted with the inwardly flowing water current for short periods of time. The most common response was a positive rheotaxis as they maintained station within the flow. Although the intake water current may be attractive to certain species exhibiting strong rheotactic beahvior it does not influence the composition of the <br />intake fish community.