3.8 Socioeconomics
to a depth of about four feet belowthe water surface. Kelp beds are located near some of the borrow sites
and beaches.
A number of factors can influence the vitality of kelp beds. Grazers such as the halfmoon, opaleye, perch,
sea urchins, and various crustaceans can affect the growth of kelp. Storms frequently pull kelp plants off
the substrate. Sedimentation of the rocky bottom has also been known to retard kelp growth and bury
young plants, preventing development and reproduction. Kelp beds are leased and harvested by Kelco
along the San Diego coast. Those beds located between Leucadia and Solana Beach are of prime concern
for the project (Glantz 1999).
Recreational Fishing and Diving
3.8.4
A wide range of marine recreational fishing and diving opportunities exist along the San Diego coast. These
include surf and shoreline fishing, pier fishing, party boat fishing, private boat fishing and diving and
skin/SCUBA diving. National Marine Fisheries Service conducted a study (NMFS 1991) to determine
the extent of recreational marine fishing in California and the economic impact of the activity. Data from
telephone interviews of California Coastal County residents was assessed to estimate annual expenditures,
locations and types of fishing methods, and target fish species. The total number of anglers utilizing San
Diego County fisheries resources in 1989 was estimated at 159,600, with annual expenditures exceeding
million. Fishing from private and charter boats accounted for over million of the total. Fishing
from piers and beaches was a popular activity, with 350,900 and 119,800 trips per year, respectively.
Annual expenditures for pier and beach fishing were .9 million and .8 million, respectively. The most
common target species for beach fishing were bass, halibut, corbina, white seabass, perch, and croaker.
The sport party boat fishing fleet specializes in carrying fisherman to areas where fish can be caught and
more recently for whale watching. Most of these charters target offshore and pelagic species especially
tuna, yellowtail, albacore, and shark. However, there is a small contingent of operators that specialize is
half and one-day charters that typically fish the nearshore areas and kelp beds. These operators target sand
and kelp bass and California halibut. Oceanside harbor has one to four boats that specialize in this fishery
while Mission and San Diego Bays have a large charter fleet.
Sport diving and spearfishing activity mostly occur in the nearshore waters, and the number of diving trips
in San Diego was about 30,000 per year (NMFS 1991). Most diving occurs in habitats rich in marine life,
especially kelp beds and rocky reefs. Much of the diving in San Diego involves trips to locations not
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
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