The State of the California Current in 1998-1999: Transition to Cool-Water Conditions

Abstract

This report reviews and provides a preliminary interpretation of recent observations made by CalCOFI (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations) and other programs sampling the coastal waters of the Californias. Since this is a continuation of a series of annual reports, the emphasis here is upon observations made during the past 18 months, but longer-term trends must also be considered. The major change in oceanographic structure in the past year was the transition from strong El Niiio conditions in early 1998 to cool-water, La Nilia conditions in early 1999. Ecosystem structure also showed large changes during this period. Phytoplankton abundance during 1998, as indlcated by chlorophyll concentration, was typical of the values seen during the last decade, but it appeared to be increasing in early 1999 in association with the transition to cool-water conditions.