A field of crinoids on a rock, seen at Kidney Bank in the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. Crinoids are echinoderms, a group of marine invertebrates that also includes sea stars and sea urchins.

The Habitat Ecology Team, Fisheries Ecology Division, conducts research on deep benthic communities using a two-person submersible. This picture was taken during a dive to make fish counts for assessment research.

Date: October 2002
Contact: SWFSC Fisheries Ecology Division, Habitat Ecology Team