EASTERN AREA CRUISE 11 April 20 - May 5, 1967 ITINERARY April 20: Depart San Diego aboard R/V THOMAS WASHINGTON 20-26: Pelagic vertebrate survey work between San Diego and Guadalupe Island 26: Elephant Seal survey on beaches of Northeast Bay Guadalupe Island 27: Seabird survey and banding on Islote Negro, off Guadalupe Island 28-29: Pelagic vertebrate survey work between Guadalupe Island and Baja California 30: Rendezvous with R/V ELLEN B. SCRIPPS in Melpomine Cove, Guadalupe Island; transfer personnel to SCRIPPS for Guadalupe Island work May 1: Elephant Seal survey on remaining beaches, east coast Guadalupe Island 2-3: Fur Seal survey, Guadalupe Island 4: Conclusion of Fur Seal survey, California Sea Lion survey on Islote Zapato 5: Arrive San Diego INTRODUCTION This marine vertebrate cruise, Expedition MV 67-I of Scripps Institu- tion of Oceanography, was led by Dr. Carl L. Hubbs. Smithsonian Institution is indebted to Dr. Hubbs for the opportunity to participate. Fourteen guest scientists, including Robert DeLong of POBSP, participated in the cruise. Their names and biological pursuits are listed in Appendix I. PELAGIC OBSERVATIONS The areas worked by the Washington were primarily deep (1000 fathoms ±) canyons. The surface layers of these areas are generally regarded as des- erts. Birds were not abundant. The northern birds which do occasionally inhabit this cold-water area apparently had returned to the northern breed- ing grounds. The southern hemisphere birds that are known from the general area had not yet arrived. Also, most of the local seabirds were nesting at this time. This, of course, limits their radius of movement. These fac- ors as well as the environment contribute to the low density of birds in the area. The California Current pushes masses of cold water down into this area from the north. The activity of the Current is demonstrated by the presence of fresh, drifting Bladder Kelp (Nereocystis and Macrocystis) which occur only north of Point Conception. The kelp, blown loose by storms, was carried south by the California Current.