POINT VICENTE WHALE COUNT by AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY : CHECK OUT TODAY'S COUNT or VOLUNTEER TO BE A SPOTTER

 There is still time to volunteer.

The whale count is sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter of the AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY and is staffed by trained volunteers from that society as well as the Cabrillo Whalewatch Program.  They record weather data once an hour and watch for whales from Point Vicente (where there is a lighthouse) from December 1st through late May, seven days a week.

Excerpt: Spotters also detail migratory behaviors observed, including breaching, spyhopping, rolling, courtship, apparent nursing, possible feeding, and interaction with kept and with other marine mammals. Participants also note possible human impacts on gray whales, including boat interactions, possible harassment incidents, and entanglements.  In addition we identify and record behaviors of any other marine mammals that utilize these waters including common dolphin, Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Risso's dolphin, northern right whale dolphin, Dall's porposide, sperm whales, minke whales, humpback whates, blue whales, fin whales, California sea lions, harbor seals, northern elephant seals, and southern sea otters.

HOW BAD WILL THE SEA LEVEL RISE BE FOR CALIFORNIA? SURFRIDER FOUNDATION RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT ON BEACHES

SURFRIDER ANNUAL REPORT  Not just the Pacific or California...  but California got an 'A'.

Go to the FULL REPORT.  Washington state improved. Florida and New Jersey got worse.

Go to the GUIDE to see what change you can make.

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Remember that the BEACH ecology impacts the OCEAN and EVERY MARINE ANIMAL IN IT!

YES ALASKA DOES HAVE A SEALIFE CENTER : MARINE BIOLOGY EDUCATION

ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER ORG 

Excerpt: The overall goal of our Science Program is to develop an understanding of the role of marine mammals, birds and fish in the arctic and subarctic marine ecosystems, and to generate scientific knowledge relevant to resource management and policy. Our projects focus on Alaska marine life and environments, but reach globally with international collaborations. The Center’s unique geographic location, marine cold water research facilities, live animal collections, and specialized staff allows us to use a combination of experimental and field research to:

•  Investigate physiological and ecological processes affecting marine animal population  dynamics.

•  Conduct controlled experiments to understand factors affecting reproductive success and  fitness in marine species.

•  Monitor marine animal responses to environmental variability and stressors.

•  Evaluate human impacts on our marine environment and animal populations.

•  Develop tools to support recovery and restoration of marine resources.

HOLD FAST ART INSTALLATION : BIRCH AQUARIUM - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SAN DIEGO - SCRIPPS INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY

AQUARIUM UCSD - SCRIPPS 

EXCERPT:  On February 8, 2024, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is opening Hold Fast, an immersive art installation that explores our local kelp forests and climate change through the lens of three local artists and scientists who are using their unique skills and talents to take climate action. 

Guests will weave through a labyrinth of cyanotype-printed giant kelp by photo-based artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter, dive into the details of local species via gyotaku prints by artist Dwight Hwang and witness up-to-the-minute kelp forest mapping by Scripps Oceanography PhD student Mohammad Sedarat. 

“Warming waters and giant kelp don’t mix. We have to be realistic about the outsized impact that climate change has on our local Giant Kelp forests,” said Megan Dickerson, Birch Aquarium’s Director of Exhibits and co-curator of the installation. “But at the same time, local people are doing beautiful things. This Hold Fast installation posits that the actions of local artists and scientists can give us hope that together, as a community, we can make collective change as we also acknowledge climate trauma.”

RED CRAB

 

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS TO BE PART OF THE ACTIVISM TO RESPECT OUR MARINE ECOSYSTEM - SEA LIFE and BEACHES

1) I do not take sea creatures including shells from the tide pools. I can take pictures of them with my camera.

2) When I go to the beach, anything I take with me, I bring back out. I don't leave any garbage there.

3)  While I'm at the beach, I can take a bag and fill it with refuse that has washed up and throw it away properly.

4) I do whatever possible to recycle all things that are not organics.  I will check with my city to see where I can take things like old cell phones and electronics, batteries, nail polish, paint, plastics, and other items.

5) I will investigate what nonprofits and other organizations are involved in my area with preserving or reestablishing the marine ecosystem. I can support them through money donations or by volunteering.  (Beach clean ups can be a great way to meet like minded people.)

6) I will choose one sea creature and learn everything I can about it this year.

7) I will not buy sea shells from shops nor items made with them because dredging for shells is ruining the ecosystem too.

8) I will consider where any sea food I eat is sourced and avoid eating any seafood that comes from Chinese or other countries where ships use Forced Labor (Labor trafficking or slavery.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR SEA SHELL BABY