Sampling completed for ichthyoplankton project

SCCWRP and two of its member agencies completed field sampling in June for a project that will evaluate DNA-based methods for identifying ichthyoplankton, which are the eggs and larvae of fish.

Ichthyoplankton offer important insights into the condition of the marine pelagic zone, an offshore area heavily impacted by land-based discharges.

SCCWRP and its partners are working to use DNA-based methods to identify the ichthyoplankton samples, which were collected with help from the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. DNA-based identification methods have the potential to generate faster, more insightful results than traditional identification by taxonomists.

Researchers are interested in improving ichthyoplankton analysis methods so that ichthyoplankton can be more effectively utilized as a tool to monitor the condition of the marine environment.