We are a group of scientists, community members, environmental organizations, surfers, and beach workers dedicated to a better understanding of the habits and habitats of beach-spawning grunion, Leuresthes tenuis.
Click the photo to see our most recent update.
Early-June Update, 2009 Grunion Runs
Previous updates:
"Record
Grunion Run Seen On O.C. Beaches"
By Pat Brennan, green living, environment editor, OCRegister
"On
the Grunion Hunt"
By Chris Epting, from Huntington Beach Independent, June 10, 2009
"When
the Grunion Run, Citizen Scientists Keep One Step Ahead"
By Laura Hoberecht, NOAA Fisheries Public Affairs
"Nighttime
the Right Time to Watch the Grunion Run"
By Mike Lee, from SignOnSanDiego.com by the Union-Tribune, April 23,
2009
"Sea
Life Centre - Loch Lomond Announces Top 10 Flirty Fish"
Grunion named number 2 among flirtatious fish, 2009 Zoo and Aquarium
Visitor
Watercolor by Grunion Greeter
Don Longacre
The Sixth Annual Winter Symposium of the Beach Ecology Coalition (formerly the Beach Management in Ecologically Sensitive Areas) was held at Pepperdine University in Malibu on January 14, 2009. Over forty beach managers, lifeguards, park rangers and coastal scientists attended, from the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. The agenda included lifeguard Nick Steers on a historical view of Zuma Beach, Beach Manager Lester Thompson on an outreach program for school children in Long Beach, Dr. Craig Shuman on the Marine Life Protection Act, and Dr. Jenny Dugan on wrack and invertebrate experimental manipulations in a snowy plover nesting area. (more information)
Final Season Update for July,
2008 Grunion Runs
In 2009, for the eighth year, citizen scientists will observe the California Grunion's intimate activities on beautiful sandy beaches during the most ideal times for viewing. Your observations will be reported via a web-based questionnaire and used for beach management and scientific research. See below for photos and updates from previous seasons.
"Grunion Run Season Opens" by Laylan Connelly, from the Orange County Register
"Grunion Fish Wiggle Ashore to Landlubbers' Delight," By Alysia Gray Painter, from NBC Los Angeles
"Sea Life Centre - Loch Lomond Announces Top 10 Flirty Fish," Grunion named number 2 among flirtatious fish, 2009 Zoo and Aquarium Visitor
"On Your Mark, Get Set, Grunion Run," Melissa Studer interviewed by Joe Bauer for San Diego Living (in Recent Videos)
California Sea Grant, news item on new grant
"The Grunion Return to Southern California," by Hal Eisner, featuring from News At 10, myfoxla.com
"Making a Grunion Run for Science," by Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times online
"Fish Out of Water," by Jacqueline J. Davidson in Coastal Living
"Search for the USS Grunion" photos and link to the Full Story, about the 1942 disappearance of a navy submarine sent on a secret mission. Readers Digest rd.com, January 2008
"Summary of Citizen Science Conference at Cornell University" by Melissa Studer
VIDEO: Emily Explains the Grunion (NEW!)
Grunion Greeter Survey for 2008 Season - Thanks to everyone who participated in the survey. We'll share the results at the workshops.
A paper about the Grunion Greeters was presented at the 5th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress in 2007, and published in the Proceedings volume. Download the paper "Grunion Greeters in California: Beach Spawning Fish, Coastal Stewardship, Beach Management and Ecotourism." (7.5mb PDF)
We are participating in the Wildlife Watch 2008 with the National Wildlife Federation. Click on the link, then scroll down to "Grunion Spawning"
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In partnership with the NMFS-SWR! |
We welcome the National Marine Fishery Service-SWR, Habitat Conservation Division, and thank them for major funding of this citizen-scientist monitoring effort. We thank our continuing partners!