Partnering for Healthy Marine Ecosystems
The Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) project is a long-term research and monitoring collaboration between Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and Point Blue Conservation Science. Scientists measure the physical and chemical conditions in the ocean, the availability of prey such as krill and other zooplankton, and the abundance and distribution of predators, such as seabirds and whales. Information from this project enables sanctuaries to examine coastal and open-sea ecosystem health, contributing to a better understanding of ecosystem patterns and changes. NOAA and other agencies use the project data to protect resources in the sanctuaries, by addressing whale entanglement, ship strikes, climate change impacts, and more.
