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. 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. Next Grunion Spawning Season: Spring 2025 (Check back later for predicted 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. Abstract: Beach Certification Program Beach managers, lifeguards, and maintenance workers are often put into those positions with backgrounds of parks and recreation, and technical skills, but lack training in biology or ecology of coastal ecosystems. Most do not have the opportunity to be informed of current scientific knowledge, so develop management practices through on-the-job experience and discussions with co-workers. The mission of the Beach Ecology Coalition, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for educational outreach, is “To enhance ecosystem conservation and beach management to balance natural resource protection and recreational use.” This group includes beach managers and maintenance staff, parks supervisors, lifeguards, coastal ecologists, coastal engineers, aquarium staff, marine biologists, surfers, park rangers, environmental advocacy organizations, and resource managers across California. Local, state, and federal government agencies are involved. With these resources, we are developing a basic entry-level curriculum for certification in beach ecology, with continuing education delivered via semi-annual meetings and online. This curriculum will ensure that people working on beaches have a basic level of knowledge about beach ecology. It includes the many ecological goods and services beaches provide, special species that depend on beaches, and how beaches evolve seasonally and over time. As sea level rise and erosion affect the beaches from the sea side, coastal development on the land side results in coastal squeeze on the beaches from both sides. Adaptation for the effects of climate change needs people who understand and can address the potential for beach loss. Recognition of cultural and spiritual beach uses complement their uses for recreation and leisure. 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 |
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