The Scripps Pier underwater camera was donated by DeepSea Power & Light and provides HD live streaming video from ~4m (13 ft) water depth .

Water visibility can be estimated  from the pier pilings and water color. The closest  pier piling on the right is  1.2m (4 ft)  away from the camera and the piling on the right back of the screen is 3.4m (11 ft). The back left piling is  4.3m (14 ft) away from the camera and  may only be visible when ocean conditions are calm and clear (light blue water).  If you can  see two pier pilings on the left, the farthest one  is 9m (30 ft) away, and visibility rarely gets this good. So get out there!

Water color and the amount of particles seen in the camera, determine water clarity. Dark green or reddish  brown water indicate a bloom of phytoplankton. Fast moving, small particles are generally indicative of high surf or current that kicks up the sand  and detritus into the water column. Mysid shrimp are often seen early in the morning and near sunset. Watch closely to see the difference between floating organic bits and mysid shrimp zooming by. Get lucky and see a school of top smelt, a curious lobster, even a leopard shark or bat ray!  

DeepSea is proud to create equipment in service to the scientific community and supports efforts to advance our global understanding of the Earth and its oceans.

Cable and support provided by Ocean Innovations.