Administrative
Report
N.2., File # 23-5470 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING OPTIONS TO RE-ESTABLISH A WHITE
SEABASS PROGRAM IN KING HARBOR
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the City of Redondo Beach Strategic Plan, City Council directed staff to explore options to re-establish a White Seabass Program within King Harbor. For over two decades, the Redondo Beach Sea Lab operated a white seabass grow-out project with the intent to restore depleted sea bass populations to a higher and sustainable level in the Pacific Ocean. The fish were hatched at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Carlsbad, transferred to the Sea Lab location in Redondo Beach, and raised in grow-out pens for five months until they were old enough to be released into the Santa Monica Bay. The program released between 5,000 to 12,000 fish a year. In 2019, Sea Lab ceased operating due to lease issues and Redondo Beach has been without a program since. After review of the minimum requirements, necessary building materials and the associated costs to establish the program, the Harbor Commission and staff have identified potential alternative locations within King Harbor for the reestablishment of a White Seabass facility.
BACKGROUND
Staff reached out to the King Harbor Ocean Enhancement Foundation (KHOEF), to ascertain minimum spacing and equipment necessary for locating a white seabass program within King Harbor.
KHOEF was the organization that ran the original program in connection with Sea Lab. The program was left homeless when the Sea Lab rehabilitative aquarium shut its doors in June 2019. According to KHOEF, an outdoor grow-out pen could locate within a slip measuring between 31 and 36 feet in length. The slip would accommodate a 5,000 gallon “in-water” tank, a floating dock to accommodate a lock box for storage of fish food and cleaning tools, raised walkway and fencing for security. A depth of seven feet is necessary to accommodate the in-water pen.
On July 11, 2022, the Harbor Commission discussed possible locations within the Waterfront that could potentially house a grow pen. In summary, the Harbor Commission agreed that an outdoor pen located within the natural seawater was preferred due to increased complications attributed to indoor pens. Complications of indoor pens include increased costs associated with the generators and pumps needed to keep the indoor pen ideal for healthy fish life, as well as emergency procedures to protect the seabass in the event of a power outage. The Commission also agreed that outdoor locations must have good ocean current flow to keep temperature and oxygen levels stable, making end slips located close to the entrances of basins ideal. In addition, any potential location must have an ability to accommodate electrical power and be in close proximity to available parking for
N.2., File # 23-5470 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
an ability to accommodate electrical power and be in close proximity to available parking for volunteers. A Harbor Commission Subcommittee was formulated to assist staff with the additional research needed to explore the vitality of specified areas of interest within Basins I, II, and III.
On July 27, 2022, the subcommittee and staff performed a walking tour of the Waterfront. Together, the group visited eight potential sites, as indicated on the map below.
Location #1 - This potential area is located just west of the King Harbor Yacht Club. Upon inspection by the subcommittee, the area is much too shallow to accommodate an in-water pen. In addition, the water flow was less than ideal. For these reasons, the Harbor Commission did not recommend Location #1.
Location #2 - The area is located just east of the King Harbor Yacht Club nestled between the club and a boat slip. Both the ocean current and overall depth could meet the needs for a healthy outdoor pen. However, there is currently no direct access to this area from either the yacht club or the nearest boat slip to the east. Locating a pen at Location #2 would require substantial improvements to gain access in the form of a new gangway and dock. For these reasons, the Harbor Commission did not recommend Location #2.
Locations #3 and #4 - These areas are located in close proximity to the Harbor Patrol facility. Page 2 of 4 N.2., File # 23-5470 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
Locations #3 and #4 - These areas are located in close proximity to the Harbor Patrol facility.
Location #3 is located just west of the Harbor Patrol docks and Location #4 is located beneath the Fire Department look-out office. Both are ideal for sizing, ocean current and depth. However, the Harbor Patrol dock area is slated to be reconstructed. While suitable, a potential white seabass grow pen could not locate here until completion of the new docks. Additionally, the Fire Department has expressed concerns regarding the allowance of public access in- and around the facility. The Harbor Commission does recommend the Harbor Patrol facility but has identified a more suitable and preferred location (further detailed below at Location #7).
Location #5 - This area is located along the Joe’s Crab Shack property. The location is ideal for sizing, ocean current and depth. However, the area has no direct access to the water and would require substantial re-development to do so. The King Harbor Public Amenities Plan delineates the site for a new Waterfront Educational Facility, which calls for a tear-down of the existing building and redevelopment of the entire site. While possible, the eventual design of the educational facility would need to accommodate direct water access, which is not guaranteed. In addition, redevelopment of the site is likely years away from fruition. For these reasons, the Harbor Commission did not recommend Location #5.
Location #6 - This area is located at the Sportsfishing Pier. The location is ideal for sizing, ocean current and depth. However, the pier itself is in a state of disrepair and is currently slated for emergency removal. Similar to location #5 above, the pier has been identified for reconstruction by the King Harbor Public Amenities Plan but is also multiple years away from fruition. For this reason, the Harbor Commission did not recommend Location #6.
Location # 7 - This area is located along an existing boat slip within Basin III, just south of the boat hoist. The location is ideal for sizing, ocean current and depth. The proposed outdoor pen could locate within an area of water located between the existing boat slip and Mole D. Access to the boat slip is provided via a gangway connecting to Mole D and would not need to be modified to accommodate the pen. Currently, the boat slip is utilized by South Bay Sailing School. Staff reached out to the business owner to discuss use of the slip for the seabass pen. The owner was amenable to vacating the slip, indicating that the sailing school fleet was decreasing in size. Location #7 represents the Harbor Commissions preferred choice, as water conditions are ideal, special needs for the equipment can be accomodated and existing access is provided.
Location #8 - This area is also located within water between existing boat slips and Mole D.
However, this area is located just east of Mole D. It is also ideal for sizing and depth but ocean current was not optimal. Access to the area is provided via gangways and would not require any alterations. Due to a lack of ocean current, the Harbor Commission did not recommend Location #8.
In summary, the Harbor Commission, subcommittee and staff strongly recommend Location #7.
Furthermore, according to KHOEF, the most suitable “in-water” location for a grow pen that can accommodate the ocean current criteria is at the entrance to Basin 3, which is where recommended Location #7 is situated. Location #7 is identified below with a red rectangle and further indicated with a red arrow.
N.2., File # 23-5470 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff consulted with Clark McNulty from Ocean Global, who has experience in establishing a white seabass program. Mr. McNulty has prepared an itemized list of materials needed to construct the pens for the program. The itemized list (with cost estimates) has been attached and is based on a similar seabass program in Marina Del Ray. The proposal includes two pens, which is advantageous when raising the white seabass to separate sick or dead seabass from healthy seabass. According to Mr. McNulty and the costs associated with the Marina Del Ray program, staff anticipates an initial cost of between $62,000 and $72,000 to purchase and install the pens. There are minimal year-over -year costs associated with the program because the fish (and associated food) are donated to white seabass programs throughout the State by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Carlsbad. As a result, year-over-year costs are limited to general maintenance and repair work. Additionally, the program is operated by a group of volunteers, so there are no employee-related expenses.
In addition to the initial investment of $62,000 - $72,000 required to initiate the program, staff has identified a loss in revenue of $700 per month ($8,400 per year) if the seabass program were to locate at the recommended Location #7 site. Currently, Location #7 is a profitable slip rental area within Basin III, resulting in $700 of monthly rental fees to the Tidelands Fund.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Cost Estimate - Itemized Material List prepared by Clark McNulty