Beaches Are Ecosystems
Beaches, with their picturesque shores, rolling waves, and vibrant marine life, are more than just popular destinations for sun-seekers and surf enthusiasts. They represent dynamic and intricate ecosystems, where land, sea, and sky converge to form a delicate balance of life. From the microorganisms that flourish in the shifting sands to the diverse array of plant and animal species that call the shoreline home, beaches embody a complex system of biodiversity. These ecosystems play a crucial role in coastal environments, providing habitat, regulating climate, and serving as nurseries for countless marine species. Understanding the significance of beaches as self-sustaining ecosystems is not just a matter of ecological awareness but a key component in safeguarding the health of our oceans and the stability of our planet's climate. Sustainable management and conservation efforts are essential to safeguard these critical natural resources. Read More... Mission Statement "To enhance ecosystem conservation and beach management to balance natural resource protection and recreational use." Objectives
This organization is based in southern California and has members statewide. Our headquarters are in Malibu, California. For more information please email: info@BeachEcologyCoalition.org Recent News and Interesting Articles 2024 PBS Documentary Featuring the Grunion A PBS Nature special, "San Diego: America’s Wildest City", is set to air on National PBS on Wednesday 11/6/24 at 8 pm. A film by @daysedge @pbsnature @terramater. Also, if you're in San Diego, the film will be shown at the San Diego Natural History Museum on the IMAX big screen beginning Nov 22. Watch the trailer and a grunion clip. 2024 Grunion Spawning Season For southern Californians, the months of April, May and June is considered "peak season"--as well as closed season when no take or contact of any kind is permitted. We welcome your reports! Observation form PDF. Report here or scan the QR Code to the right: For details and tips about the runs, check out this brief video. Los Angeles Times article. To beat climate anxiety (and climate change), it starts with us. By Roseanna Xia. September 22, 2024 (PDF) Los Angeles Times article. As state’s beaches shrink, a fight over what sand is left. By Jack Flemming. September 20. 2024 (PDF) Los Angeles Times article. Hotter, drier and all-around different: How climate change will alter your life in L.A. By Hayley Smith. September 9, 2024 (PDF) BBC article. The Moon brings a wild but precarious fish orgy to California's beaches. By Lucy Sherriff. April 19, 2024 (PDF) San Francisco Gate article. 'Amazing' scene along Calif. coastline as rare animal ritual begins. By Erin Rode. April 12, 2024 (PDF) The Orange County Register article. 2024 season for grunion runs is beginning - we've got the rules and tips for you. By LAYLAN CONNELLY. March 9, 2024 (PDF) American Fisheries Society "Fisheries" Journal: Citizen Science on the Beach: Grunion Greeters in California. Karen L. Martin and Melissa Studer. 2023 Grunion Season New Grunion Regulations Explained in this post from CDFW and in this article from Santa Monica Daily Press. In 2022 we petitioned the CA 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. The Beach Ecology Coalition has written a chapter in a new book: "Sandy Beaches as Endangered Ecosystems: Environmental Problems, Possible Assessment and Management Solutions." More information. ICES Journal of Marine Science. Population trends of beach-spawning California grunion Leuresthes tenuis monitored by citizen scientists. Karen L. M. Martin, Emily A. Pierce, Vincent V. Quach, and Melissa Studer. KQED PBS "Deep Look" Video: These Acrobatic Beach Hoppers Shred All Night Long. "Constant Wonder" radio show hosted by Marcus Smith: An interview with Dr. Karen Martin about grunion, followed by Doug Marcy of NOAA on sea level rise. San Diego Union-Tribune article: "With fewer people on the beach, shorebirds may spread their wings." (PDF) Orange County Register article: "Neon blue waves move to South OC, South Bay, here are tips on how to view, shoot images." (PDF) Orange County Register article: "OC beach photo: Real news sometimes stranger than #fakenews." (PDF) CNN article: "Spanish official apologizes after beach sprayed with bleach." (PDF) CNN article: "Half of the world's beaches could disappear by the end of the century, study finds." (PDF) "Fish TV" and Sea Grant article: "MPA update: Sandy beaches and surf zones offer clues to ocean health." "Will our 'Spanish Village by the Sea' see the impacts of sea level rise?" Read the article. The Beach Ecology Coalition received a nice shout-out in this article about "The Urbanization of the Beach: Some of Southern California’s most iconic and popular beaches have lost most of their biodiversity." (PDF) Hakai Magazine published a nice interview with Dr. Karen Martin about grunion and another with Dr. Jenny Dugan about beach grooming. Thanks to the Bay Foundation's project in Santa Monica, native beach plants and birds are "making a comeback" as explained in and article by the Argonaut. (PDF) Check out an article in "Tidelines", a newsletter published by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, featuring the Beach Ecology Coalition. Click here for link. A new book by Dr. Karen Martin has been published about beach spawning fishes! More information. A children's book about grunion has been published: Do Grunion Really Run? And Other Grunion Wonders. It is published by High Tech Elementary North County First Graders (Room 154). Click here for a link on Amazon. |
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