IN THIS ISSUE

Maybe it's time to get serious about Global Warming?

FMSA Goes to Sea

Volunteer Spotlight:
Beach Watch Class of 2005

In the News

Wildlife Spotlight:
Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

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Capturing the inspiring nature of the Sanctuary, Delphinus, FMSA's art sale, took place over a beautiful weekend early November. Our heartfelt thanks go to all the participating artists and volunteers, as well as to the gracious staff at Aquarium of the Bay who hosted us for the weekend. The artists enjoyed mingling at the Opening Reception, discussing their art with prospective buyers and, of course, enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres donated by Zuni Cafe. FMSA looks forward to holding this unique event next year, bringing the beauty of GFNMS into your living room while helping to fund Sanctuary protection.

The Third Annual San Francisco OCEAN Film Festival is right around the corner, January 13th - 15th. This exciting festival is a grand mix of cinematic art and ocean conservation—what could be better! With a Friday evening Opening Reception, two days of programming, and volunteer opportunities, there are many ways for you to get involved and show your support for our ocean environment.

Save The Date
The year 2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the designation of the Gulf of the Farallones as a National Marine Sanctuary. A gala celebration will be held on April 20th. Please stay tuned for details.

Maybe it's time to get serious about Global Warming?

Our Pacific coastal waters usually sport massive groups of seabirds drifting on the surface of the ocean. These groups, known as rafts, float miles offshore, feasting on sea life that feeds on plankton.

This summer, in San Luis Obispo County and all along the Pacific Coast, marine biologists began spotting ominous signs: higher ocean temperatures close to shore, plummeting catches of groundfish, an explosion of dead birds on coastal beaches, and, perhaps most disturbing, very few plankton—the tiny critters that form the basis of the ocean's intricate food web. Continued >>

FMSA Goes to Sea

FMSA’s Beach Watch Coordinator, Shannon Lyday, is off to sea. Participating as a re searcher in NOAA’s CSCAPE 2005, Shannon leaves port on Friday, November 18th for a three week work cruise aboard the David Starr Jordan. Continued >>

Beachwatch Class of 2005 graduates!

On a foggy day on Muir Beach, a group of people huddle around a decaying corpse - most likely that of a sea lion or harbor seal. The group is composed of Beach Watch volunteers who act as citizen scientists to determine what is on the beach, both living and dead. Beach Watch volunteers rely on 80 hours of training and their reference resources, such as their "dead" book, to hone their forensic skills. After this final training exercise, twenty-eight Beach Watch volunteers celebrated their graduation with a picnic replete with beer, wine, and BBQ oysters. Although the new graduates come from all walks of life, they all share the common goal of wanting to become involved in the protection of the marine environment. Continued >>

In the News

Endangered Species Act Threatened
by Linda Hunter
published in the "Letters to the Editor" of the San Francisco Chronicle

For more than 30 years, the Endangered Species Act has worked to save the rarest of America's wildlife heritage, including helping to rescue the gray whale from extinction. Continued >>

Wildlife Spotlight: Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

A massive dark shape looms in the murky waters surrounding the Farallones Islands; it swims efficiently, moving its huge bulk effortlessly through the water as it hunts. It reaches lengths of 20 feet (6 meters), weighs up to 7,000 pounds (2,613 kg), and is, surprisingly enough, warm-blooded. It is hunting for the hapless juvenile elephant seal who will serve as one of only a few meals devoured in the hunting season here at the Farallones. Learn more about research on this commonly demonized and misunderstood magnificent animal. Continued >>