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The National Park Service is now accepting proposals for a 10-year concession contract at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park.From guided water float tours to snorkeling and retail, this opportunity sits in one of California’s most spectacular coastal settings. This is a rare opportunity to operate within a national park.

To learn more, please visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/chis004-27.htm

You may not like it, but this is what peak snail performance looks like 🌊🐌

For day 3 of #AbaloneWeek, we’re zooming in on green abalone and their role in park ecosystems!

Like other abalone found in @channelislandsnps, green abalone (Haliotis fulgens) are marine snails with one shell and a strong, muscular “foot” that they use to move and to grip onto hard surfaces. Green abalone range from Point Conception, California, to Bahia de Magdalena, Mexico. They live in shallow waters from the low intertidal to at least 30 feet, and are found in rocky crevices, under rocks, and other cryptic spaces.

While abalone can move quickly (for a snail) when disturbed or threatened, they are also capable of remaining in the same spot for astonishing periods of time if food is plentiful and they are protected from predators by the rocky reefs.

This green abalone is pictured alongside some of its favorite things: Rocks and kelp! What more could a snail ask for?

Green abalone play an important role in our park’s marine ecosystems: help to control populations of algae growing on reefs and are an important food source for lobsters, crabs, octopuses and other species.

Image: A green abalone clings to a rock surrounded by kelp off of Anacapa Island, by Reuven Bank

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

For day 2 of #AbaloneWeek, we’re diving into the watery world of pink abalone!

Pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) are a visually distinctive species of marine snail, with thick circular shells that feature strong corrugations. Usually living between 20-120 feet in depth, pink abalone are one of the more commonly seen species of abalone in @channelislandsnps.

Pink abalone are connected to kelp forests, feeding mostly on kelp and drift algae. In the shelter and habitat created by towering canopies of kelp, abalone can live for many decades. It’s possible the same pink abalone your grandparents saw in the rocky reefs of our park will be one you encounter during your next dive in @channelislandsnps.

Channel Islands National Park monitors and protects the marine ecosystems that pink abalone call home. Learn more about our kelp forest monitoring program at nps.gov/im/medn/kelp-forest-communities!

[Images: Photo 1 - A pink abalone clings to a rock in the waters off of Anacapa Island, by Reuven Bank. A pink abalone is shown close-up on a rock, surrounded by kelp, red algae, and other marine life with a diver in the background. NPS / Scott Gabara. Photo 3 - Giant kelp grows on top of a live pink abalone, its holdfast affixed to the abalone’s shell. NPS / Reuven Bank]

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

For day 2 of #AbaloneWeek, we’re diving into the watery world of pink abalone!

Pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) are a visually distinctive species of marine snail, with thick circular shells that feature strong corrugations. Usually living between 20-120 feet in depth, pink abalone are one of the more commonly seen species of abalone in @channelislandsnps.

Pink abalone are connected to kelp forests, feeding mostly on kelp and drift algae. In the shelter and habitat created by towering canopies of kelp, abalone can live for many decades. It’s possible the same pink abalone your grandparents saw in the rocky reefs of our park will be one you encounter during your next dive in @channelislandsnps.

Channel Islands National Park monitors and protects the marine ecosystems that pink abalone call home. Learn more about our kelp forest monitoring program at nps.gov/im/medn/kelp-forest-communities!

[Images: Photo 1 - A pink abalone clings to a rock in the waters off of Anacapa Island, by Reuven Bank. A pink abalone is shown close-up on a rock, surrounded by kelp, red algae, and other marine life with a diver in the background. NPS / Scott Gabara. Photo 3 - Giant kelp grows on top of a live pink abalone, its holdfast affixed to the abalone’s shell. NPS / Reuven Bank]

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

For day 2 of #AbaloneWeek, we’re diving into the watery world of pink abalone!

Pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) are a visually distinctive species of marine snail, with thick circular shells that feature strong corrugations. Usually living between 20-120 feet in depth, pink abalone are one of the more commonly seen species of abalone in @channelislandsnps.

Pink abalone are connected to kelp forests, feeding mostly on kelp and drift algae. In the shelter and habitat created by towering canopies of kelp, abalone can live for many decades. It’s possible the same pink abalone your grandparents saw in the rocky reefs of our park will be one you encounter during your next dive in @channelislandsnps.

Channel Islands National Park monitors and protects the marine ecosystems that pink abalone call home. Learn more about our kelp forest monitoring program at nps.gov/im/medn/kelp-forest-communities!

[Images: Photo 1 - A pink abalone clings to a rock in the waters off of Anacapa Island, by Reuven Bank. A pink abalone is shown close-up on a rock, surrounded by kelp, red algae, and other marine life with a diver in the background. NPS / Scott Gabara. Photo 3 - Giant kelp grows on top of a live pink abalone, its holdfast affixed to the abalone’s shell. NPS / Reuven Bank]

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

Welcome to #AbaloneWeek, where each day we’re highlighting a new species of these wildly charismatic marine snails and their connections to @channelislandsnps.

Abalone are algae-eating (herbiverous) marine snails that can be found in coastal waters all over the world. Of the 70+ species of abalone on earth, 7 are found in our state.

The ecosystems located at Channel Islands National Park serve as a remote refuge for the abalone that call these waters home. The habitats protected by Channel Islands National Park serve as a refuge for numerous species that struggle to exist in a developed landscape. Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) are a poster snail for the importance of this refuge.

Black abalone, who live on rocky substrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs, once numbered in the millions along the California coast, but are now critically-endangered.

Beginning in the 1980s, the spread of withering syndrome caused mass mortalities, leading to dramatic declines in the black abalone populations, already weakened by overfishing in preceding decades, throughout the southern portion of the range. Black abalone are an important species to the Chumash people, whose traditional territories include the Northern Channel Islands, and are keystone species in intertidal communities.

The isolation and protection of Channel Islands National Park provided a refuge for black abalone to weather the dual storm of over-exploitation and disease. The diminished populations of abalone slowly began to increase off the Channel Islands aided by years of cooler waters, which are known to limit the spread of withering foot syndrome.

While the population is far from where it used to be, we are now seeing the highest numbers of black abalone observed in many years—a good sign for the recovery of this critical intertidal species.

Tune in tomorrow for some more snail mail on your timeline!

Photos: Black abalone in the intertidal zone of Santa Cruz Island, by Reuven Bank

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

Welcome to #AbaloneWeek, where each day we’re highlighting a new species of these wildly charismatic marine snails and their connections to @channelislandsnps.

Abalone are algae-eating (herbiverous) marine snails that can be found in coastal waters all over the world. Of the 70+ species of abalone on earth, 7 are found in our state.

The ecosystems located at Channel Islands National Park serve as a remote refuge for the abalone that call these waters home. The habitats protected by Channel Islands National Park serve as a refuge for numerous species that struggle to exist in a developed landscape. Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) are a poster snail for the importance of this refuge.

Black abalone, who live on rocky substrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs, once numbered in the millions along the California coast, but are now critically-endangered.

Beginning in the 1980s, the spread of withering syndrome caused mass mortalities, leading to dramatic declines in the black abalone populations, already weakened by overfishing in preceding decades, throughout the southern portion of the range. Black abalone are an important species to the Chumash people, whose traditional territories include the Northern Channel Islands, and are keystone species in intertidal communities.

The isolation and protection of Channel Islands National Park provided a refuge for black abalone to weather the dual storm of over-exploitation and disease. The diminished populations of abalone slowly began to increase off the Channel Islands aided by years of cooler waters, which are known to limit the spread of withering foot syndrome.

While the population is far from where it used to be, we are now seeing the highest numbers of black abalone observed in many years—a good sign for the recovery of this critical intertidal species.

Tune in tomorrow for some more snail mail on your timeline!

Photos: Black abalone in the intertidal zone of Santa Cruz Island, by Reuven Bank

#Abalone #MarineConservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands

For today’s #KelpConnection, we’re featuring a translucent, brainless, jet-propelled colonial tunicate that graced us with its presence in Landing Cove last week.

Dive into the wild world of salps with us in Channel Islands National Park!

Video by NPS / Andrea Mills

#channelislandsnationalpark #channelislandslive #findyourpark #conservation

Not a cellphone in sight. Just whales living in the moment 🌊🐋

The Santa Barbara Channel hosts an abundance of life, ranging from the largest creatures on earth to some of the smallest.

The California Current System brings nutrients to the region, supporting much of the biodiversity seen around the Channel Islands. The mainland coast of California is also home to strong seasonal upwelling events. As the wind blows across the water, it moves surface waters away from the California coastline.

This allows deeper ocean water to rise from the depths to take the surface water’s place. This process, known as upwelling, exposes marine organisms to deeper water that is higher in nutrients.

Massive schools of anchovies and sardines feed on the tiny plankton that thrive in this nutrient rich environment, which in turn are prey for humpback whales, dolphins, and dozens of other megafauna.

@channelislandsnps and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary help protect and preserve these vital marine ecosystems and the whales who depend on them.

The boundary of Channel Islands National Park extends one nautical mile in every direction from islands within the park, and launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraftwithin the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Park Superintendent. This footage was recorded safely from outside park boundaries in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Tune in next week for another #MarineMonday whale feature exploring our connections to our cetacean neighbors!

📹️: courtesy of Adam Ernster (@adamernsterwildlife)

#Whales #Conservation #BlueWhale #FindYourPark

We didn’t choose the slug life, the slug life chose us 🌊😤

For today’s #KelpConnection, we’re sharing a few snippets of some colorful nudis with all of our fronds at home, and learning about the role even the tiniest creatures play in our interconnected marine world!

🎥: NPS Volunteer Diver Kaji

#Conservation #FindYourPark #ChannelIslands #Nudibranch

🌊 A bird’s eye view of the largest animal to ever roam our planet 🐋

Channel Islands National Park and the adjacent waters of the Santa Barbara Channel host an astonishing diversity of marine life. Over 27 species of whales have been sighted in the Santa Barbara Channel, including the blue whale.

Growing to 100 feet long with hearts the size of a Volkswagen and arteries so large you could crawl through them, these behemoths (like the individual filmed here by @adamernsterwildlife) are connected to myriad forms of life in the ocean and on land.

Blue whales eat multiple tons of krill per day, and their iron-rich feces is an essential source of nutrients in the marine food chain. These nutrients are vital for phytoplankton, or tiny photosynthetic marine algae and protists, who produce nearly half of the oxygen in our oceans and atmosphere. You can thank blue whales and other cetaceans for every breath you take.

The boundary of Channel Islands National Park extends one nautical mile in every direction from islands within the park, and launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraftwithin the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Park Superintendent. This footage was recorded safely from outside park boundaries in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Tune in next week for another #MarineMonday whale feature exploring our connections to our cetacean neighbors!

📹️: courtest of Adam Ernster (@adamernsterwildlife)

#Whales #Conservation #BlueWhale #FindYourPark

Marine debris harms our oceans, wildlife, and coastal economy. Join us at the Visitor Center on September 20th for the annual Coastal Cleanup Day! We will be hosting the community from 9am to noon in partnership with the Channel Islands Park Foundation. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome. Just three hours can make a huge difference! @channelislandspf #CoastalCleanupDay #ProtectOurOceans #TrashureHunt

This #TidepoolTuesday, we’re gasping at fish breathing air! 🤯🐟

Low oxygen can occur in tidepools at night when plants and algae have stopped photosynthesizing, or when low tide drains the pool of water.

Some species of sculpin, such as the tidepool sculpin, have evolved the unusual ability to breathe air in these low oxygen environments!

@channelislandsnps protects vast stretches of intertidal habitat that these air breathing sculpins and many other species call home.

[🎥: sculpins stick their heads out of the water in tide pools on Santa Rosa Island, breathing air through their gills. Courtesy of Reuven Bank]

Abalone and yap 🐌🎙️

7 species of abalone are found in California’s waters, and @channelislandsnps and @noaasanctuaries monitor and protect criticalhabitat for these snails and thousands of other marine species.

Join us Wednesdays with @exploreorg as we broadcast live from the kelp forests of Anacapa Island and explore the connections between our marine ecosystems and the people, places, and systems that depend on them!

🎥: NPS Volunteer Kaji

#findyourpark #conservation #encuentratuparque #abalone

Find someone who looks at you the way our rangers look at sea stars 😍🌊⭐️

Channel Islands Live, @channelislandsnps’ flagship interpretive program, conducted in partnership with @noaasanctuaries and @exploreorg, is back and airing every Wednesday that ocean conditions allow!

Join our dive team as we broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook, and the @exploreorg website from the kelp forests of Anacapa Island, and explore our connections to the ocean around us.

#findyourpark #channelislandsnationalpark #encuentratuparque #conservation