Mapping offshore anthropogenic infrastructure associated with Cannery Row, Monterey Peninsula, California USA

Abstract

“Cannery Row” is well known from the novel of the same name written by John Steinbeck in 1945. It historically extends back to the early 1940’s when sardines were being heavily fished in Monterey Bay and an extensive network of canneries were established in Monterey. To support these canneries and the fishing vessels delivering fish to the shore-based processing facilities, an extensive network of seabed infrastructure was developed. Once the fisheries collapsed, the canneries shut down and the “Row” became derelict with the seabed infrastructure left to deteriorate in place. Today the row has been revitalized by an invigorating tourist industry brought to the peninsula with the establishment of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) nearly 40 years ago. New seabed infrastructure was constructed to support the aquatic exhibits of the MBA but unlike the previous canneries’ infrastructure, this infrastructure was constructed with the conservation of the unique and spectacular nearshore marine environment in mind.Using modern geophysical instrumentations consisting of Multi-Beam Echosounder (MBES) and 3.5 kHz Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse (CHIRP) sub-bottom profiling systems we mapped the seafloor geology, imaged abandoned and present-day seabed infrastructure, and characterized the benthic habitats. From this mapping effort we were able to assess the artifacts of the seafloor and illustrate how modern seafloor processes such as sediment transport is altering the infrastructure. Much of the abandoned submarine infrastructure provides hard substrate within a dynamic unconsolidated sand bottom that is habitat for encrusting and sessile organisms, contributing to the diversity and complexity of the marine ecosystem of the area. In addition, a prominent granodiorite exposure upon which the dynamic sand onlaps is prime holdfast foundation for kelp that in turn provides habitat for fish. Although not pristine, the impacts of previous industrial disturbances and anthropogenic impacts are now well mitigated with the area set aside as a natural reserve and educational center piece within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.