Ryan Freedman, NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in Santa Barbara, CA

Giant Seabass are a species of large fish that live in the cool waters off the coast of California. Thanks to government protections in California, this top predator of the kelp forest is beginning to return to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA is working with other groups to study them. Giant Seabass are unique because scientists believe they use sounds to communicate. NOAA is working to record these sounds in the wild and study how these fish move around Santa Barbara Island, a small offshore island in the sanctuary. (Grades 2-6 but all ages will enjoy)

Resources to access at home:

» “Return of the King” – An article on how researchers track giant sea bass populations in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
» Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary education page. This includes an encyclopedia of sanctuaries, marine reserves interactive map, and more.
» Map of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.