IN THIS ISSUE

Dying Murres

Leatherback Turtle

Mary von Tolksdorf

Endangered Spotlight: California Sea Otter

 

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Whale Watching Trips

Saturday, September 20th

Sunday, October 19th

OceanFest Hiatus

FMSA has determined that we will not be producing OceanFest this fall.

We will miss OceanFest when Fleet Week takes place the second weekend of October.

But do not worry: next year will again bring sustainable seafood from some of the area's finest restaurants.

OceanFest will have become an even better means of educating visitors about the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and FMSA's role in supporting it.

Allan Schreiber
President, FMSA Board of Trustees

September 20th Coastal Cleanup Day!

 

 

Have you had an interesting experience in the Sanctuary?

Tell us your story in 400-600 words. Send it to the editor at smarti@farallones.org.

 

Donate to FMSA today!

 

Why the Dead Murres?

The distinctive call of a common murre chick for its father is one of the most endearing sounds you’ll hear while out to sea in late summer. However, lately, there have been fewer calls.

During the past month, a high number of dead common murre chicks have washed up on our coastlines.

Continued >>

 

Disappearing Ocean Travelers

Last November I was working as a naturalist on a wildlife watching trip to the Farallones.  We hadn’t had the best day for wildlife—a few humpbacks in the distance, a couple of harbor porpoises. 

On our way back, the boat drifted through thick patches of fog, then out to areas of limited visibility, then back into fog again.  Pink-footed and sooty shearwaters skimmed across our bow, and when the mist cleared the sunlight cast an ethereal glow on the ocean.

Then I saw it.  A leatherback turtle.  

Continued >>

 

15 years and Going Strong!

As we celebrate the Beach Watch anniversary we would like to highlight the volunteers who have dedicated 15 years to protecting our coast and its wildlife.

Meet Mary Von Tolksdorf.  

Continued >>

 

Endangered Spotlight: California Sea Otter

Imagine floating on your back amongst a kelp forest in the coastal waters off of California.  As a precaution, you carefully drape a kelp blade over your body to keep you from drifting out to sea while you rest.  You bob gently with each incoming wave and the rhythm slowly rocks you to sleep. 

Continued >>

 

 

 

Photo Credits: Common murre: MojosCoast. Leatherback turtle. Peter Winch. Sea Otter: NOAA