One of the more recent developments within the California Department of Fish and Game has been the establishment of a marine culture laboratory. The laboratory is situated on the central California coast immediately south of Monterey. A complete water system that provides for filtered, ultraviolet treated, heated, chilled, and raw (unaltered seawater), has been installed. The main water supply system consists of dual submersible pumps, housed on the seafloor, in 15- to 20-ft. depths, that push water to an elevation of 120-ft. to a 20,000-gal, storage reservoir. All seawater lines and equipment in contact with seawater consist of plastic or other inert substances to eliminate toxic metallic ions and inhibit corrosion within the system. The principal objective of the culture laboratory is to explore the feasibility for mass culture of selected marine species such as abalones, scallops, crabs, prawns, lobster, and clams to provide basic information for mariculture and augment existing fisheries through "seeding" programs.
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