IN THIS ISSUE

Dying Cormorants

Brian O'Neill

Sealife Conservation

Wildlife Spotlight: Harbor Porpoise

 

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Registration Now Open for Sanctuary Explorers Camp!

Discover the Wonders of the Sanctuary! For Junior Marine Biologists, Ages 8-12

Scholarships Available!

 

July 5 Creature Feature "BEACH WALK!" Sunday, 11:00-11:30 at Visitor Center. For more info contact: pwinch@farallones.org

 

July 11 & 15 Green Crab Control Project in Seadrift Lagoon: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Join Scientists from the Smithsonian Institute, Bodega Marine Laboratory, and University of Portland to trap and freeze green crabs. If you are interested in participating in the effort, volunteer training dates are set for Saturday, July 11th from 9am-1pm, and Wednesday July, 15th from 8am-4pm. July 15th will also be the first
official trapping day. All ages are welcome! If interested please contact Christopher Brown at:
browncw@si.edu

 

July 28 Creature Feature "CRABS!" Sunday, 11:00-12:30 at Visitor Center. For more info contact: pwinch@farallones.org

 

August 13 Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting

 

New Zealand Wildlife & Wonders Tour: November 8 – 21, 2009

Experience firsthand the global connection between our own Gulf of the Farallones upwelling ecosystem and exotic New Zealand. For more info click here:

 

 

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Donate to FMSA today!

 

 

Dying Cormorants

In mid-April, FMSA Beach Watch volunteers, along with numerous other wildlife agencies and organizations, began to note an increase in dead Brandt’s Cormorants along beaches from Marin to Monterey counties. As of May 25, 2009, Beach Watch surveyors have documented 380 dead Brandt’s Cormorants during the months of April and May. Increased numbers of dead grebes (also diving seabirds) have also been found on beaches.

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Brian O'Neill

On May 29, members of the sanctuary staff were among over 2,000 people who journeyed to Crissy Field on a gray blustery day to pay tribute to Farallones Sanctuary Advisory Council member and General Superintendent of the Golden Gate Recreation Area, Brian O’Neill, in a celebration of his life and work.  Brian passed away on May 13 after complications from heart surgery.

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Sealife Conservation

Sealife Conservation, a nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, is committed to inspiring conservation of the ocean by creating opportunities for individuals to learn about the beauty of our oceans and the threats that they are currently facing. In the past four years, over 10,000 individuals have learned about our oceans while sailing with SeaLife Conservation aboard the Derek M. Baylis, a purpose designed and built 65-foot sailing research vessel.

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Wildlife Spotlight: Harbor Porpoise

When most people hear the term “cetacean”, they imagine majestic whales and playful dolphins. This is understandable: the giant whales simply astound us with their size, while dolphins command our attention and spark our curiosity with their startling intelligence. Indeed, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and its neighboring marine sanctuaries are blessed with many familiar species of whales and dolphins. 

However, the sanctuaries also host the other, more frequently overlooked member of the cetacean family—the porpoise. Both Harbor Porpoises and Dall's Porpoises live in the Gulf of the Farallones.

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