The Santa Barbara Channel is one of our three focal study areas within the California Current System. Located off southern California, in an area known as the Southern California Bight, Sooty Shearwaters dominate the regions marine avifauna during summer months. Large flocks feed during the day often in association with herds of abundant common dolphin and groups of humpback whales. The region is a major spawning and recruitment site for northern anchovy - the principal prey for an abundant and diverse predator community.