Hello Grunion Greeters:
Reports from our research team, the volunteer Grunion Greeters, and others show that grunion are still running over long stretches of beaches in locations from the southern California border to Monterey Bay. We have requested that beach maintenance continue to stay off of the intertidal zone with heavy equipment.
“Several hundred grunion spawning simultaneously at 6 locations, plus groups of 10-50 all along the beach.” – Grunion Greeter Eileen A.
Splash of Grunion, by Julianne Steers
Grunion runs will continue into July and possibly August, so there are still opportunities to see grunion on the shore. The schedule can be found by following this link http://arachnid.pepperdine.edu/grunion/when.htm
It is now Open Season in California for grunion hunts. Even so, no gear of any kind can be used to trap or catch the grunion, and all adults over the age of 16 must have and display a valid fishing license. Anything else is poaching. Please report any poaching you see to the Department of Fish and Game, 1-888-DFG-CalTIP.
We encourage “Catch and Release” of grunion during the open season so that future generations will be able to enjoy this summer ritual as well.
“Fish in the water and few on the beach. More than 300 people on the beach, with screaming kids, bonfires, people in the surf with buckets, nets, no game warden. Probably 100 people catching fish in the surf, no fishing licenses.” – Grunion Greeter Danielle Z.
“Grunion started running but people chased them away trying to catch them. One person had a net and a few children were using bowls to catch grunion.” – Grunion Greeter Jennifer S.
On some beaches nearly every grunion that appears on shore gets collected almost immediately, so runs may not get started until after all the people leave. Or the fish may move elsewhere to a quieter location.
“There were around 500 people catching grunion. There were lots of fish in the water, but barely any made it on shore to spawn.” – Grunion Greeter Sabreena K.
“Cops and helicopter came and busted the run, easily hundreds of people. One grunion came and was immediately taken.” – Grunion Greeter Sarah M.
Where is the “best” place to watch a run? No one knows but the grunion. Sightings and larger runs are more likely if people do not disturb the fish. Try a sandy beach away from crowds, stay out of the water, and be quiet and patient.
“Beach was calm and quiet when first scouts came in, then about 20 adults and 30 children came down the beach with 3 dogs and lots of flashlights. The run then stopped, and the wise fishies split!!!” – Grunion Greeter Kimberly K.
“200 people in the water and on the beach from the Pier to the jetty. I have never seen it like that before. More grunion elsewhere.” –Grunion Greeter Chris L.
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will have one more night of their excellent public program “Meet the Grunion” on July 19. This is always an exciting experience that includes admission to the aquarium, hatching baby grunion, and a little dancing in the moonlight.
Grunion Embryo Undergoes Organogenesis, by Cassadie Moravek
Your reports of sightings and details of the run are always welcome. A number of researchers this summer have used your reports to study many aspects of grunion biology, including connectivity between populations, hatching success of eggs from different beaches, egg predation, and early development.
Predatory sand worm, by Phil Roullard
It would not be possible to keep track of the elusive surfing silversides without the help of each one of you. Thank you for boldly enduring sleep deprivation, wave splashes, and howling revelers in pursuit of scientific data.
Have a wonderful summer. May the fish be with you!
Greeter Carol, by Glenn Jacobs
