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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, 15 May 2026: although we did not spot any GRAY WHALES, we did watch dolphins. We had multiple sightings of both COMMON DOLPHINS and coastal BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS; many were feeding for hours on anchovy bait balls! NOTE: at least 4 HUMPBACK WHALES (including the mom and her yearling calf who have been lingering for several weeks) were lunge-feeding on anchovies for hours, about 5 miles south of us! (Summary by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
PHOTOS TODAY: coastal bottlenose dolphin leaps just outside of our kelp beds; another coastal bottlenose dolphin forages in the kelp beds; a male peregrine falcon rests after catching a bird and feeding it to his chicks (by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
GRAY WHALES TODAY
Southbound: 0
Northbound: 0
Cow/calves south: 0
Cow/calves north: 0
Total: 0
GRAY WHALES TO DATE (since 1 Dec)
Southbound: 214
Northbound: 441
Cow/calves south: 17
Cow/calves north: 15
Total: 655
#acsladailycount #graywhalecensus #commondolphins #bottlenosedolphins
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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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