It just makes sense for a perch to drop in the water column where the environmental conditions stabilize during periods of very heavy surf. The surf zone is used first and foremost as a transitory environment for either feeding or breeding. Secondly, and only if the conditions allow, will the birthing of a future generation of surfperch take place. The surf is by no means a habitat that houses a perch 24 hours a day, or 365 days a year. The ever-changing conditions will either promote activities in the shallows or drive the perch away from the beach.
Nature has a wonderful way of providing species with the tools to survive.
Take the surfperch's mouth structure for example. It's perfectly adapted for finding and capturing prey in the tumultuous extremes of the surf zone. The perch's mouth is built to work much like a vacuum's hose. Take a close look at the throat of a perch and you'll find another clue as to the dominant food source. Located deep in the throat is a fully developed set of teeth.