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Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group Records
SAC 0020
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group Records
Creator:
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group
Identifier/Call Number: SAC 0020
Physical Description:
9 Linear feet
(9 record cartons, 1 oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): 1940-1990
Abstract: 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.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
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).
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group Records, SAC 20. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Library.
Acquired 1982-1995
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Publication rights are held by UC Regents.
California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Records, SAC 50. Special Collections & Archives, UC San
Diego Library.
California Marine Research Committee Records, SAC 49. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
John D. Isaacs Papers, SMC 1. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
University of California. Institute of Marine Resources Records, SAC 3. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fishes -- Research
Marine biology -- Research
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Marine Life Research Group -- Archives
California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (Program) -- Archives