Channel Islands Research Program (CIRP)

The Channel Islands Research program (CIRP) has been conducting marine biological studies around the eight islands in the Southern California Bight each year since 1980, with preliminary cruises dating back to 1978.

Cruises include: water temperature studies, especially during El Nino - La Nina, mantis shrimp studies, echinoderm and fish surveys at Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands; kelp/urchin community studies at Anacapa Island; eelgrass ecosystem surveys, echinoderm aggregations and disease around the northern islands; intertidal monitoring projects in cooperation with various agencies seeking information on marine issues of concern in California.

CIRP's accomplishments have been made possible by 400 volunteers (scientists, students, photographers and buddy divers) during 166 cruises making 14,060 dives. The Tatman Foundation' first 108 cruises were aboard the 65' R/V CORMORANT.

In 1995 the Tatman Foundation upgraded to the new 50' R/V CORMORANT for the last 60 cruises, and counting.