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Our Passion Projects – Resesarch
Gray Whale Census
Today’s Count
ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project Update, Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, 6 May 2025: we did not see any GRAY WHALES today. Two eastboind FIN WHALES passed 1.5 miles offshore. A westbound mystery whale breached 3 miles offshore; we spotted blows and fluke prints only. Another westbound mystery whale passed a mile offshore; we saw its blows, smooth back, and part of a dorsal fin that might have had an anterior hump (possible HUMPBACK WHALE). We also watched COMMON DOLPHINS and coastal BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS. (Summary by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
Photos today: observer Joanne Kajiyama and the Raven (by anchor Dee Whitehurst); Point Vicente Lighthouse and cove; wildflowers (by observer Toni Thompson).
Gray Whales Today:
Southbound: 0
Northbound: 0
Northbound calves: 0
Total: 0
Gray Whales to date (since 1 Dec)
Southbound: 129
Northbound: 474
Total: 603
Southbound calves: 0
Northbound calves: 6
#acsladailycount
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This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May, on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project
This full season shore-based gray whale census has operated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula since 1984. Trained volunteers spot and track Pacific gray whales on their annual migration, recording counts and behaviors. They also identify and record other marine mammals seen. This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May.
Research Grants
Every year, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society awards scientific research grants to researchers or students studying cetaceans.
Travel Awards
Every other year we give out Travel Awards to help aspiring cetacean researchers attend both the American Cetacean Society's International Conference and the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference.
Whalewatch Program
Sponsored in collaboration with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, ACS-LA trains volunteers (college age and up) as naturalists to accompany whale watching adventures on boats that departing from local landings December 26 through March, educating the public about the whales, dolphins, and marine life that live off our coast. Naturalists also give presentations in classrooms and to groups.
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