Kelco Aerial Photograph Collection, circa 1931-1992

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Summary

Creators:
Kelco (Firm)
Abstract:
The collection consists of black and white, color, and infrared aerial photography of kelp beds and coastline from Baja California to Point Conception.
Extent:
4.5 Linear feet (8 archives boxes, 1 flat box)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Kelco Aerial Photograph Collection. SMC 129. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of black and white, color, and infrared aerial photography of kelp beds and coastline from Baja California to Point Conception. The order and numbering systems utilized in the original survey project binders were preserved where possible within folders.

Arranged in three series: 1) SLIDES, 2) PHOTOGRAPHS, and 3) SCANNED IMAGES.

Biographical / historical:

The Kelco Company (est. 1929, San Diego) was the world's largest commercial producer of algin, a derivative of alginic acid used as a stabilizing, suspending and gelling agent in a variety of food and industrial applications. Kelco's fleet harvested giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) from the waters off Baja and Southern and Central California to procure alginic acid. To facilitate its harvesting operations, the company conducted aerial surveys of kelp beds regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game. This visual survey information was used to direct vessels to mature areas of kelp canopy that had sufficient density for harvesting.

Kelco Company was purchased by Monsanto in 1995 and became part of their Kelco Alginates division. Kelco Alginates merged with International Specialty Products in 1999 and the new company was named ISP Alginates. The business shut down its San Diego operations in 2005 citing increased permit, regulation, and energy costs.

Acquisition information:
Acquired 2011.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.

Terms of access:

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Preferred citation:

Kelco Aerial Photograph Collection. SMC 129. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Location of this collection:
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0175
La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, US
Contact:
(858) 534-2533
spcoll@ucsd.edu
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