Early June Update, 2009 Grunion Runs

A Message from Karen Martin, Ph.D., Pepperdine Professor of Biology

Greetings to the Grunion Greeters and Afishionados!

This continues to be an amazing year for the grunion. End of May runs were spectacular in many places along the southern California coast, all the way up to Santa Barbara. Small numbers of grunion finally showed up north of Pt. Conception as well.

Wall to Wall Grunion
Photo by Chris Lindeman

For the past few years, Park Rangers Bill Burhans and Bob Strowger have organized the RV campers at Bolsa Chica State Beach to go out and greet the grunion. Following the restoration of tidal flow to the estuary, the grunion runs have improved every year. This year is better than ever, particularly in late May when the Amigos de Bolsa Chica joined Bill for an eventful evening. Read more about it here.

Bolsa Chica Grunion
Photo by Dave Holtz

The grunion have some interesting friends. As part of our continuing effort to develop an educational video about the grunion, we have been talking with many of you, including Abel Silvas, known also as "Running Grunion." Abel recently explained some of the deep history of our favorite fish in California. Among many other things, he told us that the grunion was the only fish that had its own name in the Kumayaay language, that means "fish out of water."

"The Annual Grunion Festival is a revival of a traditional Native American gathering of local tribes to celebrate the coming of the grunion. Hashuupill, (Kumeyaay/Diegueno word for grunion or 'fish out of water') or Ha-il (Paipai "water worm") swims ashore to lay its eggs at high tide after a new or full moon. In the Southern California Native American myth, 'Moyla' (the moon in Payomkawichum/-Luiseno-Juaneno language) was sent up into the sky to watch the people and regulate everything because 'all goes according to the moon' (Constance Goddard DuBois, 1908). The word 'grunion' comes from the Spanish word meaning 'grumpy, agitated, to shake irritably' and is perhaps what the Spanish pioneers observed as the native people introduced the 'fish out of water.'"

Abel Silvas, Running Grunion
Photo by Cassadie Moravek

Another interesting grunion friend is Mike Rouse, fishery specialist at Camp Pendleton. A former Marine, Mike patrols the 14 km of beaches on the base for all kinds of wildlife, including of course the surfing silverside. We joined him one night, dodging "Training Exercises" and excited barn owls as we walked the length of White Beach. The wildlife experts monitor for 17 threatened and endangered species on the base and they take this responsibility very seriously.

Mike Rouse inspects grunion at Camp Pendleton
Photo by Cassadie Moravek

Late May was also the time for our annual field day for beach managers, beach workers, and coastal scientists. This year we met at Cabrillo Beach Coastal Park, where Aquarium Director Mike Schaadt hosted an informative tour of the beaches, including the site of the grunion runs and the beach replenishment project on the inner beach. Science associate Julie Kalman profiled the many types of organisms found on or near shore in the park, and Director Emeritus John Olguin provided wonderful tales about how the Aquarium got its start, and the early days of the public grunion program and whale watching.

Mike Schaadt
Photo by Mike Murrie

Over 700 reports have been filed by Grunion Greeters so far this season. Now that Open Season has arrived, many greeters report that they see more people than fish on the beaches. In past years we have seen good runs through June, into July, and occasionally even in August.

Although our "Official" greeting in southern California is over, I am always happy to get reports of runs even if you were unsuccessful in sighting any fish. Central and northern California Greeting continues. The data we get during the summer months helps inform management activities and may provide data about climate change as well.

Predators

Now that June is here, it is Open Season for California Grunion, according to Fish and Game regulations. This means that grunion can legally be taken by hand only, no gear at all of any kind. Persons over the age of 16 must have and display a fishing license to take grunion. We here at Grunion.org encourage "Catch and Release" for grunion so that future generations will still be able to enjoy this natural phenomenon.

The usual birds (night herons, skimmers, gulls) were reported, as well as sea lions, sharks, shovel-nosed guitarfish, dogs, rats, and even a skunk. The big difference in Open Season is the human predators, that dramatically affect the strength of a run.

Egg predation by birds and ground squirrels
Photo by Karen Martin

Grunion Greeter Observations/Comments

About 50 people, many with buckets, tonight & no fish. – Lisa B., San Diego.

For the first 45 minutes there were halibut fisherman spearfishing in the water using powerful lights to see. The majority of the grunion came after they left. – Andi C., Orange County

Looked like students from 2 schools were there. The beach was full of people with flash lights, both in and out of the water. Have never seen so many people on the beach looking for grunion before. The worst turnout of grunion in the past 2 seasons. – John W., La Jolla

Most of the people on the beach were catching the fish and keeping them. –Sandy A., North San Diego County

50 people (some with flashlights), kids running in the water trying to catch grunions. After people were gone the run started for about 30 minutes. – Erin O., San Diego

Total of about 200 fish seen w/ approx 80+ people collecting them. Fish had little to no chance to spawn before being taken. Some illegal taking in the water with gear. No birds were seen. – Robin K., Seal Beach

Some poachers using nets but when approached they stopped the usage of nets. – Lauretta B., Long Beach

There were nearly 1000 people on the beach with flashlights and buckets, and a party attitude. We saw about 6-8 scouts, and two females in the sand. – Debbie C., San Diego

Most people had fishing licenses to collect Grunion. However, it kept stopping the run in the areas where they were. Other people, all of the sudden couldn't speak English when asked to show their licenses. I liked closed season better! – Tina M., Los Angeles County

Open Season with 63 people counted - so many lights, buckets. I saw something I've never seen before - water full of grunion but they were not coming in on the beach in large masses. It's was clear they knew it was not a safe place to be. – Nona R., Orange County

Enough fish on the beach to qualify as W-1, but people were grabbing them before they could spawn, it was a W-0. Easily over 100 people taking grunion on the beach. People stretched over a mile on either side of the pier. – Tori N., Long Beach

People try to get the scout in the beach but they swing away. No run for as long as I was there. – Peter V., Orange County

Catch and Release
Photo by Walter Hofmann

There were so many people in the water, so many people on the beach. I guess because of graduations.... Michelle W., San Diego

People were flinging the fish in the air to catch them. Lots of people predators. – Ann G., Seal Beach

People all over the place ...grunion heaviest where dark and quiet. Good strong run. 80 people on the beach and in the water. – Chris L., Orange County

There was a group of males in their 20's throwing them. We asked them for a license and told them to stop. It was disturbing to see people treat nature like that. – Mandi M., San Diego

Lots of people curious after article announcing "open season" in the Union-Tribune. Most were just observing or catching a few to look at them. – Mayda W., San Diego County

Weak run, but gorgeous night and enough grunion activity to keep us happy. – Donna S., North San Diego County

Observed very light run. Most was 7 or 8 in a group at sporadic times. People with buckets were everywhere. -- Lilian A., Orange County

There was a pack of approx. 12-14 non-English speaking people stomping on and kicking fish on the beach. One run of grunion had started and when these people behaved in this way that run went back into the water and did not return to that location. – Stephanie G., Orange County

People were catching the grunion and putting them in bucket. Rangers came and told people to turn off their flashlights. Grunion active, in clustered populations the full length of the beach. – Cherise E., Orange County

Nice night, lots of grunion, lots of people. – Dan B., Orange County

Grunion Ballet
Photo by Donna Stern

Thank you so much for all you do to conserve California’s unique treasures. May the fish be with you!
-- Karen