California Current LME

The California Current LME is an example of a large pelagic ecosystem which has been studied by CalCOFI participants since 1949 .The North Pacific Current feeds into the Alaska Current and the California Current which moves south along the coastline of North America . It then flows far offshore in the Southern California Bight before touching the mainland again in Baja California, Mexico. This LME is adjacent to the Gulf of Alaska LME and the Gulf of California and the Pacific Central-American Coastal LMEs.
The main features of the California Current are:

• Decadal variation as well as variation during El Niño and La Niña events. See more
• High biological productivity (>250 mg C/sq m/day)
• Characterized inshore by an extensive kelp ecosystem. Watch the video
• Important Californian sardine fishery which collapsed in the 1940s and 50s and has now recovered
• Ongoing fisheries for squid, groundfish, tuna and salmonids
• Historic overharvesting of great whales may be partly responsible for changes to the ecosystem
• Large populations of sea birds
• Rapid urbanization in places has led to loss of habitat and discharge of pollutants
• Marine protected areas have been established.