Just beyond the kelp forest at the edges of the ecological reserve, we can imagine a hidden environment – the deep marine canyon. Dropping to 600ft within the reserve and even deeper further seaward, the waters in this canyon are cold and nutrient rich. They support abundant marine life and market squid spawn here by the millions annually drawing in halibut, pinnipeds, sharks and other predators to feed. The canyon branches in two arms close to shore which refract Pacific swell and create “dead” zones like the small boat launch at the end of Avenida de la Playa, as well as big surf zones like Black’s Beach.
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