Northern CA PPSR Projects 1

Gray Whales Count

• Organization Name

  Gray Whales Count
• Project Website

  http://www.graywhalescount.org/GWC/The_Count/The_Count.html
• Organization Website

  http://www.graywhalescount.org
• Partners

  UCSB's Coal Oil Point Reserve; NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center; Scripps Whale Acoustic Lab - SIO/UCSD; Cascadia Research Collective; Journey North; Otter Project
• Contact Name

  Michael H Smith
• Contact Email

  michael@GrayWhalesCount.org
• Contact Phone

  805-451-4600
• Other Contact Information

  N / A
• Project Purpose (taken from project materials)

  Research goals: estimate the number of gray whales and gray-whale calves migrating northbound through our corridor and to share our data to complement similar sampling-studies along the California coast.  
  

  Education goals: teach the process of scientific research to Counters and to give them the opportunity to conduct a meaningful study, to experience marine mammals in their environment, and to share this process and their enthusiasm with publics through outreach and various media, especially the internet.

• Participant Activities

  Participants (Counters) on land monitor the passage of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrating northbound through the nearshore of the Santa Barbara Channel, along a corridor extending approximately 3 nautical miles (nm) from shore.

  The observation team consists of from one to five Counters, including the Project Coordinator, up to two Supervisors, and up to two Observers. Supervisor shifts are four hours; Observer shifts are two hours; and the Project Coordinator is usually on-site all day. The Project Coordinator and/or a Supervisor is always on Counter Point.

• Data Entry

  • Website
  • Data Sheets
• Other Participant Activities

  Experienced observers can become project supervisors. All participants can share the process and their enthusiasm with the public through outreach and various media.

• System Studied

  • Mammals
  • Marine
• Geographic Scope

  Local
• Region

  Santa Barbara
• Location

  Counter Point on the Coal Oil Point Reserve in Goleta, California,
• Location - Map

  Counter Point, Goleta, CA
• Time Commitment

  • Specific dates (see Other Information below)
• Volunteer Qualifications

  No experience is required.

• Volunteer Training

  Participants receive training during counting activities. Participants will receive training on use of binoculars that have a reticle scale and a compass, so that the observation team can work together to record datapoints and confirm identities.

  Supervisors will receive specific training on this research and the operation of the project site by Michael Smith and experienced Supervisors. 

• Cost to Participant

  For participants comfort and safety Gray Whales Count requires that participants bring sunglasses, preferably polarized. They strongly advise that participants wear a hat and sunscreen, and also suggest layers for warmth. 

• How will the findings be used?

  Whale count is posted on line. Data is shared with other conservation and research organization and used for research purposes by collaborating institutions.

  Reports created using project data are accessible at http://www.graywhalescount.org/GWC/Do_Whales_Count.html

• Other Information

  The survey is conducted 105 consecutive days from early February though mid-May. Conditions permitting, each survey-day begins at 9 AMand ends usually at 5 PM.

• Photo

  N / A
• last update:

  12/15/12