The Marine Life Research Group Records document Scripps Institution of Oceanography participation in California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) and the resulting expanded research. Includes correspondence, research data from cruises and expeditions, proposals and reports, committee materials, and conferences.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group Records, 1940-1990 (SAC 20)
Extent: 9 Linear feet (9 record cartons, 1 oversize folder)
The 1946-1947 fishing season marked a major decrease in the numbers of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). In January 1947, representatives from the fishing industry and scientific experts met to evaluate the problem. Within a year, California Legislature established the Marine Research Committee (MRC); early members included Harald U. Sverdrup, Carl L. Hubbs, Martin W. Johnson, and John D. Isaacs. Through the MRC, a statewide research project was developed called the California Cooperative Sardine Study. By 1953, the project's name became the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI).
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) was assigned the responsibility of gathering general oceanographic data in the sardine habitat and to study biological productivity in the Pacific Ocean. In 1948, SIO founded the Marine Life Research Group (MLRG); also referred to as the Marine Life Research Program (MLR). The group was responsible for overseeing SIO's broad study under the state-supported CalCOFI. Due to space issues, the MLRG was originally located in Navy buildings at Point Loma, but was eventually moved to the SIO campus. SIO established the Data Collection and Processing Group (DCPG) to assist in processing research data; and was assigned a radio station for the project, operated by SIO personnel. Monthly cruises began in 1949.
Over time, the Marine Life Research Group (MLRG) expanded its studies. By 1957, the group's accomplishments included: identifying sardine migrations, behavior patterns, and four spawning areas; developing methods to estimate fish populations; defining zooplankton areas; gathering information on anchovy, jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel, saury, and hake; new instrument designs; and collecting data on ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen and phosphate levels.
To accommodate these expanded studies, the MLRG was re-organized and a new system for awarding contracts to special projects was established. In addition to CalCOFI cruises, the MLRG participated in and conducted various expeditions, including the Antipode Expedition, North Pacific Study (NPS), and the North Pacific Experiment (Norpax). The work of the Marine Life Research Group (MLRG) was eventually moved to the Integrative Oceanography Division (IOD) at SIO.
Directors of the MLRG included: John D. Isaacs (1958-1974), Joseph L. Reid (1974-1987), and Michael M. Mullin (1988-unknown).
The Marine Life Research Group Records document Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) participation in California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) and the resulting expanded research. Includes correspondence, materials from cruises and expeditions, research data and notes, proposals and reports, committee materials, and conferences.
Arranged in six series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE OCEANIC FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS (CalCOFI), 3) SUBJECT FILES, 4) PROPOSALS AND REPORTS, 5) COMMITTEES, and 6) CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS.