Crystal Cove SMCA Fish Data Analysis: Developing a Hypothesis

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For the past several years, Crystal Cove Conservancy has been working with Newport Whales and local junior high and high school students to monitor fish populations in the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA). During the Marine Protected Area Science Cruise, students head to sea aboard a fishing vessel called the Western Pride, where they use an underwater camera to conduct vertical surveys of the kelp forest.

Now, we need your help analyzing the data to see how the Crystal Cove SMCA fish population is changing over time!

For this environmental challenge, you'll help us by analyzing short video clips to look for the presence or absence of six key species of fish. Afterwards, you'll help us analyze and graph the data we have collected from 2016-2019.

If we analyze data on the presence or absence of six key fish species over the past few years, do you predict there will be annual or seasonal trends in the data? Before you start analyzing the data, record your hypotheses here.

If we analyze and graph data showing the presence or absence of six key fish species over the past several years, then I predict that...

The graph will show that the presence of the six key species has increased over time.

The graph will show that the presence of the six key species has stayed the same over time.

The graph will show that the presence of the six key species has decreased over time.

The graph will show that the presence of the six key species has gone through seasonal trends.

The graphs will not show any patterns or trends.

Do you predict that key fish species will increase, decrease, or stay the same from January 2016 to May 2019? Explain your reasoning.

Do you predict that there will be any seasonal trends in the presence of the key fish species? (For example, will more be observed more during particular times of the year, or will the sightings be consistent over the entire year?) Explain your reasoning.

Do you have any other thoughts, predictions, or questions that you want to share?

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