Pinnipeds of the Central Coast
​The Costa Lab - UC Santa Cruz
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The Costa Lab is dedicated to investigating the adaptations of organisms to marine environments, with a specific focus on studying the movement, foraging ecology, and energetics of pinnipeds, cetaceans, and seabirds.
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Pinnipeds and Monterey Bay White Sharks
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The Costa Lab, in collaboration with the Block Lab at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station and the Garza Lab at the University of Washington, has commenced a study investigating the correlation between white shark distribution and the behaviors of California sea lions. In October 2023, ten sea lions were outfitted with biotelemetry instruments, enabling the transmission of data regarding their location, diving behavior, and ocean temperature preferences.
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Why do pinnipeds need protection?
Incidental Capture (Bycatch)
Pinnipeds are vulnerable to entanglement in various fishing gear like gillnets, trawls, and purse seines, as well as marine debris. Such entanglements can lead to exhaustion, impaired feeding, or severe injury, ultimately impacting their reproductive success and survival.
How are pinnipeds currently protected?
National Legislation
Marine Mammal Protection Act
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 prohibits the harassment, hunting, capture, and killing of pinnipeds in U.S. waters. The MMPA establishes regulations to ensure the conservation and management of pinniped populations, including the designation of marine mammal protection zones and the implementation of measures to mitigate human impacts. Additionally, the MMPA mandates the development of recovery plans for depleted or threatened pinniped species, along with research programs to monitor population trends and assess threats to their well-being.
