In 2000, San Diego sank the 366-foot HMCS Yukon off Mission Beach; from 2015 to 2020, nine divers recorded 237 observations across 58 marine species

The HMCS Yukon, a Canadian warship, was intentionally sunk near Mission Beach to foster a new artificial reef. Initial research from 2004 indicated potential for marine life attraction, later enhanced by Ocean Sanctuaries' study utilizing advanced photography and AI for species identification. Results show the Yukon indeed nurtures a vibrant reef community, bolstering local biodiversity.