Point Reyes Light - August 3, 2000
Beach monitors sought to document seal dieoff
Following the second dieoff of harbor seals at Point Reyes in three years, the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association this week was recruiting more volunteers for the environmental group Beach Watch.
Volunteers help wildlife biologists document the deaths of whales and seals along the coast, but more are needed, the association announced.
Beach Watchers were first to document the deaths in late May through June of harbor seals found at the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Where dead seals found Twenty-five dead seals washed ashore near Bird Rock off Pierce Point, at Limantour Beach, at Drake's Beach, and at the Point Reyes Headlands, said John Del'Osso, chief of Interpretation for the park.
In addition, other dead seals were spotted floating offshore, said Sarah Allen, the park's science advisor. She noted that it is typical to find about five dead adult seals each season although in 1997 about 100 were found at Point Reyes.
Virus caused deaths While the victims three years ago were mostly adult females, nine out of 10 found this year have been males. Allen said the deaths have been traced to an unidentified virus, and tissue samples have been sent to labs across the country for DNA sequencing for further identification.
Dr. Allen noted there is no reason to think that human activity is responsible for the dieoff.
The nonprofit Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association has scheduled classes to recruit volunteers, who will regularly monitor Bay Area beaches.
Registration is now underway for orientation sessions on Saturday, Aug. 5, and Thursday, Aug. 10, and space is limited.
'Science & citizen action' Ed Ueber, manager of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, said, "Beach Watch is a unique marriage of science and citizen action, and is internationally recognized for the excellence of its work at the forefront of protecting the marine environment."
Beach Watch volunteers receive formal training in identifying species, collecting evidence, and the techniques for conducting regular surveys of beaches.
These activities provide insight into the patterns of marine mammals and seabirds becoming stranded. Both live and dead wildlife on beaches are surveyed.
Observations of seabirds in particular indicate the health of the marine environment. This spring, Beach Watchers reported several of the dead gray whales that washed up on Bay Area beaches during a reported increase in their death rates.
1998 oil spill Beach Watch surveyors played a vital role in collecting evidence from an oil spill. Nearly 2,500 gallons of oil was spilled off the San Francisco and San Mateo County coasts in 1998. Their efforts saved imperiled wildlife and helped government officials secure more than $4 million in civil penalties last December.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and a one-year commitment is required. Surveys are conducted monthly.
Training in marine mammal and seabird identification and data collection will be provided during 80 hours of formal instruction. Training and orientations are scheduled on weeknights and weekends. Those interested in taking part can call David Osorio at 561-6625 or <beachwatchinfo@yahoo.com>.
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