Current Projects
Best Management Protocols (BMP's) A major goal of our organization is to improve beach management in ecologically sensitive areas. To that end we have targeted the specific areas for development of essential protocols, or BMP's. For details click here. Grunion Greeters: Citizen Science on the Beach Volunteer "Grunion Greeters" experience a grunion run and witness the remarkable behavior of the silvery little fish as they ride the waves ashore to spawn on the beach. Grunion Greeters monitor local sites and collect observations for about two hours during a grunion run. Peak spawning season typically occurs from April through June. The grunion runs occur late at night, twice a month, after the highest tides associated with a full or new moon. Runs may occur on any flat, sandy beach and prefer areas without a lot of flashing light, noise and activity. Next Grunion Season: Spring 2024 (Predicted Spawning Schedule) New Grunion Regulations Explained in this post from CDFW and in this article from Santa Monica Daily Press. Stay tuned for updates related to workshop trainings for new Grunion Greeters. Below is a brief video that contains information about the runs and tips to maximize your success, in addition to how to report your observations. While the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes a comprehensive schedule of all potential runs, we focus on peak spawning season and specific nights that tend to be more consistent with larger runs. We welcome your reports of grunion sightings. Click here for a PDF of the data form. To submit your observations, follow this link or use the QR Code to the right. Your reports from any beach are always very important, whether or not you see any fish.
BACKGROUND: Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) are restricted to a narrow distribution along coastal California and Baja, Mexico. After concern that beach grooming practices were harming grunion eggs incubating beneath the surface of the sand during spawning season, the first systematic study of the impact of humans on the sandy beach habitat of grunion was conducted in 2002. The results effected significant and lasting change in beach grooming procedures in San Diego and throughout California. Additional studies continue to expand this work. Coastal municipalities, beach managers, state parks, government agencies and environmental organizations are cooperating to ensure protection of incubating grunion eggs on shore and continued conservation of this remarkable fish and its sandy beach habitat. Please check out www.Grunion.org for more information.
In 2022 we petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission to increase protection for the grunion after years of data clearly demonstrated a decline in population. It has been a complicated three-year process but in February the Commission voted unanimously to approve the new regulations. June is now closed to take along with the usual months of April and May. In addition, take will be restricted to 30 fish per person. Fishing licenses for those over 16 are still required and no gear of any kind is allowed. Of course, we encourage the “observe and conserve” approach so California’s original surfers will be healthy for future generations and continue to be an important part of the food web. Surf, Sand, and Silversides This short documentary was produced to tell the story of California grunion and highlight its ecology and vulnerability on southern California's beaches. (more information) To view the trailers visit www.Grunion.org. This scientific article from the ICES Journal of Marine Science uses Grunion Greeter citizen science data to track populations over time. "Hey Beacher, Leave Those Fish Alone" by Kelly Catalfamo, freelance journalist, in Hakai Magazine |