Sharks and Rays of Monterey

  United States

Monterey

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: Teams will work both in and around Elkhorn Slough and in the open waters of Monterey Bay. For the work in the slough, you'll head out in a wetsuit and set nets to capture, measure, and tag seven shark and ray species: leopard sharks, gray and brown smoothhound sharks, bat rays, thornback rays, shovelnose guitarfish, and round stingrays. Some team members will head out over Monterey Bay Marine Canyon aboard a powerboat, attracting sharks using fresh fish as bait, capturing them in nets, and helping tag and measure the sharks before releasing them back into the water. In both locations, you'll record species, size, gender, and presence of an ID tag, and help take a tiny fin clipping for DNA analysis. Animals without ID tags will be tagged, or may be fitted with a radio-transmitter for tracking. All animals are released unharmed. In your recreational time, the Monterey Bay area offers a variety of diversions, from kayaking to fine dining.

You will stay in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-storey house near the beach at the Pajaro Dunes Colony, between the town of Watsonville and Moss Landing Harbor. The house has a fireplace, washer and dryer, VCR/DVD player and high speed internet. Meals will be prepared by staff with the welcome help of volunteers, and will include typical American fare, such as cereals and yogurts for breakfast, and simple pastas and oven-baked dishes for dinners. Teams will take bag lunches of sandwiches, fruits, and drinks to eat in the field.

Highlights: Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Bay, California -- When the oyster fishery off Moss Landing, California was facing collapse, local fishermen reasoned that if they got rid of the oyster-eating sharks and rays in Elkhorn Slough, the oysters would bounce back. Armed with pitchforks, shotguns, and dynamite, an enthusiastic citizenry descended upon this rich estuary off Monterey Bay in 1946, and killed hundreds of sharks and rays. The oyster population collapsed anyway. However, the shark and ray hunt continued. In 1988, collaborating organizations put an end to the hunt and initiated a tag-and-release program. Since 1991, researcher Sean Van Sommeran and colleagues at the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation have worked with local anglers and numerous local and national organizations to protect and preserve the elasmobranches (sharks and rays) of Elkhorn Slough and the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon.

Cost in US$: 2,646

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18-93

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-15

Scholarships are Available. - K-12 Teacher Scholarships

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971