Doc_4--Appendix_I _SEAS-BW_Volunteer_Manual.pdf

INTRODUCTION TO THE BEACH WATCH PROGRAM

A. Purpose of Beach Watch

The Beach Watch ecosystem-monitoring program is a public-private partnership of the

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Farallones Marine Sanctuary

Association (FMSA) to study and protect the shoreline of the Gulf of the Farallones (GFNMS), and northern portion of Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuaries (MBNMS), which is administered by

GFNMS. Since 1993 Beach Watch has conducted shoreline surveys within GFNMS and

MBNMS spanning 150 miles (240 kilometers) of central California coastline between Bodega

Head in Sonoma County through Año Nuevo State Reserve in San Mateo County.

Monitoring our coastal beaches provides a long-term database of information on the activities and uses of the beaches by marine organisms and humans within the Sanctuary. Data are collected so that it is compatible with pre and post-spill assessment programs implemented by federal and state resource trustees, of which the Sanctuary is a part.

Assigned teams of surveyors monitor defined beach segments within seven regions of the coast. Some estuaries within this area (e.g., Bodega Harbor, Drakes Estero, San Francisco

Bay and Pescadero Marsh) are not included in the program; Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon are included.

Beach Watch surveyors conduct counts of live and dead vertebrates and human activities along designated beach segments. Surveyors also document oil and tarballs, oiled wildlife, relative abundance of beach wrack and record seasonal changes such as stream and lagoon status.

Beach Watch is part of the GFNMS conservation science program and the Sanctuary

Ecosystem Assessment Surveys (SEAS). SEAS is an integrated network of monitoring programs that provide biological observations and habitat characterization for the Gulf of the Farallones region. SEAS includes several long-term, established monitoring programs such as Beach Watch, Applied California Current Ecosystem Surveys (ACCESS), and Rocky Intertidal Monitoring programs. Beach Watch is a nationally and internationally recognized monitoring program.

Protocols for Beach Watch have been used as a model for oil spill response and damage assessment of spills in the USA, Canada, Japan, France and South Africa.

B. Benefits of the Program

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary has experienced major oil spills since it’s designation in 1981. On October 31, 1984, the tanker vessel T/V PUERTO RICAN experienced two major explosions. The vessel broke in half and fuel sank within the stern. This incident released an estimated 1,400,000 gallons of refined petroleum product into the Sanctuary’s waters. It was estimated that at least 3,000 birds were killed.

In 1986 the barge T/B APEX HOUSTON spilled an unknown amount of oil along the central California coast. It is estimated that over 10,000 birds were killed. After each spill during the 1980’s, researchers from Point Reyes Bird Observatory undertook damage assessment.

Consistent monitoring protocols, wide geographical search effort and relative intensity of the Beach Watch database has provided a long-term data set against which to compare the mortality rates and species composition during known oil spills. The Beach Watch baseline data helped to evaluate damages and determine settlements for five recent spills in the Gulf of the Farallones.

On 28 October 1996, the S/S CAPE MOHICAN released an estimated 96,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Dry Dock Company dry dock facility. During this spill, an estimated 42,000 - 50,000 gallons were released into San Francisco Bay and by 30 October 1996 reached the Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. The Beach Watch baseline data was used to help determine the level of impacts from this spill and resulted in a restoration settlement of over $3.6 million for seabirds and impacted habitats.

During the fall and winter of 1997 and 1998, another oil incident unfolded, designated at that time as the “Point Reyes Tarball Events”. Numerous oiled birds and tarballs washed up on the shores of the sanctuaries and over 1,900 oiled birds were found. The Point Reyes Tarball Events are now recognized as part of the oil spilled S/S JACOB LUCKENBACH, which collided with another vessel in 1953 and sank in 180 ft. of water. It is estimated that the S/S JACOB LUCKENBACH released over 22,400 gallons of bunker fuel oil and killed at least 51,000 birds and eight sea otters. Restoration from this ongoing spill was provided from the Oil Pollution Act, for nearly $21 million.

On 27 September 1998, the T/V COMMAND spilled approximately 3,000 gallons of oil resulting in a 10 to 15 mile oil slick off of Half Moon Bay. More than 75% (estimated 11,193) of the seabirds killed in this spill were Common Murres. The COMMAND case was settled December 1999 for $4.05 million to be used for seabird restoration and $98,100 in civil penalties to each of the sanctuaries damaged by the spill (Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries).

Most recently, on 7 November 2007, the M/V COSCO BUSAN hit the Bay Bridge releasing an estimated 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into San Francisco Bay with subsequent oiling along the outer coast. Beach Watch surveyors and the extensive baseline data provided critical information to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. Restoration of over $32 million was awarded to projects that will improve seagrass habitat, mudflats, recreational uses, and seabirds and waterfowl populations.

During each of these incidents the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary was able to provide experienced wildlife reconnaissance surveyors to quickly survey local beaches, collect oil and oiled wildlife, aid in the direction of response and clean-up efforts, and assess the change in the use of the beaches by many taxa of marine organisms and humans. This exemplifies the importance of this long-term beached bird survey program and gives support for the value of continuing beach survey programs along the West Coast and elsewhere.

INTRODUCTION TO MARINE SANCTUARIES

AND THE FARALLONES MARINE SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION

A. National Marine Sanctuaries

(Excerpted from A Tour of the Sanctuaries published by NOAA.)

In 1972, in response to growing awareness of intrinsic environmental and cultural values of our coastal waters, Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. The

Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate discrete areas as National Marine

Sanctuaries in order to promote comprehensive management of their special conservation, recreational, ecological, cultural, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic resources. National

Marine Sanctuaries may be designated in coastal and ocean waters, and in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters. Since the Act was passed, 13 National Marine Sanctuaries and one

Marine National Monument have been designated. National Marine Sanctuaries are administered by the National Marine Sanctuary System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce. The mission of the Sanctuary

Program is to manage ocean, coastal and Great Lakes areas of special national significance and to protect their ecological and cultural integrity for the benefit of current and future generations.

These protected waters provide a secure habitat for natural processes to occur, serve as a safe haven for species that may be threatened or endangered, and protect historically significant shipwrecks and prehistoric artifacts. They serve as natural classrooms and laboratories for students of all ages. Sanctuaries are also cherished recreational spots for diving and sport fishing, and support valuable commercial industries such as fishing and kelp harvesting. Thus, part of the challenge of managing these areas is balancing environmental protection with the harvest of economic resources. Sanctuary management policies, practices, and initiatives ensure that human activities affecting Sanctuaries are compatible with long-term protection of Sanctuary resources.

B. Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) encompasses 948 square nautical miles of nearshore and offshore waters off the California coastline west of San

Francisco. Designated in 1981, the Sanctuary consists of the offshore marine region surrounding the Farallon Islands, as well as the nearshore areas of Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, Drakes Bay, and Bolinas Bay, Estero de San Antonio, Estero Americano, Duxbury Reef, and Bolinas Lagoon.

Beginning in August 2004, the GFNMS administers the northern portion of Monterey Bay

National Marine Sanctuary from Rocky Point in Marin County to the San Mateo-Santa Cruz

County border; adding approximately 1,400 square miles to the GFNMS area of responsibility.

This spectacular environment is home to a fascinating array of plants and animals. The

Sanctuary region supports 20% of California’s breeding population of harbor seals and the largest concentration of breeding seabirds in the contiguous United States. Thirty-six species of marine mammals, including endangered blue and humpback whales, live in, feed in, or migrate through the Sanctuary waters. A complete spectrum of marine habitats including estuarine, intertidal, pelagic, and deep oceanic environments can be found within the Sanctuary.

Within the Sanctuary are habitats, nurseries, and spawning grounds for commercially valuable species such as Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and rockfish. The area is a heavily used fishing ground on the continental West Coast of the United States, supporting many large commercial fisheries based out of San Francisco and Bodega Bays. Also contained within the

Sanctuary boundaries are the West Coast’s busiest shipping lanes. Whale watching, bird watching, and offshore excursions are other uses of the Sanctuary that are steadily growing in popularity. The Sanctuary also serves to protect beaches, bays, and lagoons within its boundaries as areas of public recreation and access to the marine environment. Successful management of the

Sanctuary depends on a careful balance of multiple uses. For more information visit the

Sanctuary’s website www.farallones.noaa.gov.

The Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary resources are managed and protected through research and education programs as well as through regulations.

Specific regulations for the Sanctuaries include:

Prohibition of oil and gas exploration and development activities;

Prohibition of discharges;

Prohibition of seabed alteration or construction;

Prohibition of oil tankers, barges, and merchant vessels within two nautical miles of the

Farallon Islands, Bolinas Lagoon, and Areas of Special Biological Significance within the GFNMS;

Requirement of aircraft to maintain an altitude of at least 1000 feet within one nautical mile of biologically sensitive areas to avoid disturbing marine mammals and seabirds;

Areas include the Farallon Islands, Bodega Head, Bird Rock at Tomales Point, Pt. Reyes

Headlands, Duxbury Reef and from Pescadero south to Año Nuevo.

Prohibition of removal or damaging of historical or cultural resources; and

Prohibition of motorized personal watercraft within the GFNMS, and allowed only in designated zones within the MBNMS.

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary main office facility is in the

Presidio of San Francisco, 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco, CA 94129.

http://www.farallones.noaa.gov/

C. Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association

In 1995, a group of thoughtful, committed citizens concerned with the health and survival of the Gulf of the Farallones and surrounding Sanctuaries formed the Farallones Marine

Sanctuary Association (FMSA). The Association is a nonprofit membership organization with a mission "to protect the unique ocean environment beyond the Golden Gate, in partnership with the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, through education, outreach and stewardship”. The Association's goals are to:

Raise the general public’s awareness of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine

Sanctuary;

Increase stewardship of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary;

Educate central coast residents and visitors about the resources in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary;

Increase research and monitoring of resources within the Gulf of the Farallones National

Marine Sanctuary; and Train and coordinate staff and volunteers for emergency wildlife reconnaissance in response to environmental disasters.

INTRODUCTION TO BEACH MONITORING

Beach Watch is used to monitor the abundance and distribution of wildlife and human recreational use on each beach segment. This long-term dataset is collected to help natural resource managers protect habitats and wildlife. Beach Watch findings alert sanctuary management of acute events such as oil spills and seabird or marine mammal mortality incidents as well as natural processes such as regional and seasonal trends. These trends can be used to understand local and regional changes in the distribution of vertebrates, potentially from climate change. Data have been used to identify high sensitivity areas for wildlife and human impacts to natural resources.

In one significant example, Beach Watch data were used in November 2007 during the

COSCO BUSAN oil spill. Data were provided to responders to determine the location and extent of oiling, locations of endangered and threatened species, areas for removal of beach wrack subjected to oil pollution and to determine when clean-up procedures have reached an endpoint.

Parameters measured every two weeks include:

Live and dead wildlife Demographics of beached wildlife Oiled dead and live wildlife

Apparent cause of death (e.g. entanglement, shark bite, oil, etc.)

Relative abundance of beach wrack (algae) and invertebrates Visitor-use patterns and violations

Beach erosion and deposition trends (beach profile photos)

Status of streams and lagoons Tarballs to assist the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response to detect the source of oil on coastal beaches Banded and tagged animals and recover bands and tags from dead carcasses

State of decomposition and carcass scavenging to indicate the likelihood of finding a carcass during baseline and emergency response surveys

A. Basic Monitoring Techniques

The objective of beach monitoring is to provide a long-term data set, which can be used to calculate an index of use for a particular beach. Ideally, each beach segment is surveyed at least 26 times each year, once every two weeks. Data are gathered by taking a census of each beach on a regular and consistent basis. Beach segments are monitored by trained teams of 1 to 4 surveyors. Survey teams are assigned to a particular beach segment and are given a survey schedule. The survey must be completed within a two day window on each side of the scheduled survey.

Surveyors conducting a survey alone should survey the live organisms and human activities first while walking in one direction and dead organisms second, while walking in the return direction. If there is a team of surveyors, this can be conducted simultaneously while walking in one direction.

It is important for the beach monitor to search carefully, often with much zigzagging, to avoid missing carcasses. Zigzagging requires much more time than a walk on the beach at a leisurely pace. A pair of seven- to ten- power binoculars can reduce the time needed to cover a beach segment since questionable looking objects can be checked from a distance. Carcasses may be partially covered by sand, kelp, wood, or other debris, and may be located anywhere on the beach.

It is important to be as accurate as possible when identifying animals. The beach monitor should never guess at a species identity. If you cannot determine the identification to species, record the family or group common name such as gull, cormorant, alcid, Otariid, etc. If this is not possible, record the animal as unknown “bird” or “mammal” and make a brief description in your comments section of the data sheet and on the Photo Documentation Log. If you are having trouble and need extra training, we will provide it. If we find that you have misidentified numerous species, we will not be able to use your data.

The beach monitor must be skilled in identifying birds and marine mammals. The ability to identify live birds and marine mammals is helpful when identifying dead or beached birds and mammals. Many dead birds and mammals will be decomposed, heavily scavenged, and/or covered with oil, making the task of identification more difficult. Important clues to bird carcass identification are size, shape, and coloration of the bill; size of the feet and body; and the pattern of feathering on the wings. Key identifiers for marine mammals are shapes of flippers or fins, fur coloration or patterns, body shape and size, and teeth shape and alignment.

There is an abundance of marine mammal and bird species along the California coast of which you will need to become familiar with. The more confident you are at identifying live individual species and carcasses, the better you will be at surveying a beach. Observers should always carry a standard avian field guide and the Beached Marine Birds and Mammals of the North American West Coast.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the rangers or beach manager in your area.

Become familiar with local management practices. For example, is the beach cleaned each morning, or has a special event taken place the day before your survey? Management practices will affect your survey counts and must be noted on your survey forms. Rangers or area managers may require that you notify them every time you are doing a survey. Developing a rapport with the local rangers or area managers will expedite exchange of information about your beach. All surveyors must carry a copy of the scientific collecting permit and when necessary the appropriate park permit.

Please be aware that certain times of year or due to certain conditions access to a beach may be closed or restricted, e.g. presence of sensitive species such as elephant seals or snowy plovers, dune restoration or hazardous materials. Surveyors must respect and comply with these closures. Participation in Beach Watch does not necessarily allow access to closed areas. Special permission or instructions for emergency access will be given through Beach Watch and park staff.

B. Safety

Some beaches are quite remote; others are in urban areas. Always inform someone of when and where you will be conducting your survey, your route, destination, and when you expect to return. Know where your cell phone will send a signal or where the nearest telephone is located. If you find fresh or weathered oil or dead animals do not touch them with your bare hands. Wear plastic gloves to protect yourself and your pets from diseases you may be in contact with. Some diseases found in seabirds and marine mammals can be contagious to humans, pets and domestic animals.

There are four major rules of safety during a beach monitoring survey:

1. Consult a tide book and obtain a weather report. Beach segments may be inundated or cut in half by unusually high water caused by an incoming storm. Always use discretion during bad weather.

2. Acquaint yourself with your beach segment by reading the information in Synopsis of

Beach Segments and Directions to Beach Segments.

3. If a census becomes dangerous, stop and leave the beach.

4. Wear gloves when handling dead animals or oil/tarballs.

C. Equipment

Each member of the survey team should have a complete set of equipment needed to complete a beach survey (Table1). Equipment is usually carried in a backpack, shoulder bag, or waist pack.

Table 1. Equipment List Equipment for a Beach Survey

(*Provided by Beach Watch)

Binoculars (7-10 power) Scissors, Shears, or Bandage Scissors

*Clipboard and Rubberband *Strips of Cotton Cloth

Pencils (bring extra) Clicker Counter

Rubber Gloves (several pair) *Camera (1 provided per team)

*Data Sheets: *Memory cards

Beach Monitoring Survey Form *Waterproof Sharpie Pen

Live Species Count Form *Photo Scale

Photo Documentation Log *Oil Sampling Supplies:

Oil Descriptor Form Aluminum Foil

Extra Data Sheets Chain of Custody Form

*Reference Logs: One Pair Nitrile Gloves per Sample

Abbreviation Codes Tongue Depressors

Cheat Sheet-Activity & Demographic Codes Pre-cleaned Jars and Lids

Tidelog or Tidebook Jar Labels

Bird Identification Guide Evidence Labels

*Beached Marine Bird and Mammal Guide Water

*Beach Watch Manual

D. Data Sheets

Data Sheets are provided by the Sanctuary (Figures 1-3). You can download them online at www.farallones.org. It is important for the survey team to fill out a new, clean set of data sheets each survey. Please fill the forms out completely and neatly. Write in pencil because ink can run and smear if wetted. Take several pencils on a survey in case of loss or breakage.

Make photocopies of all of the data sheets and keep the copies so that you have a backup set.

Enter data on-line within 3 days of completing your survey. Mail or hand deliver the original set of the Beach Monitoring Survey Form (Figure 1), the Live Species Count Form (Figure 2) and the Photo Documentation Log (Figure 3) within one week of competing your survey. Send original data sheets to:

Mail to:

FMSA

ATTN: Beach Watch 991 Marine Drive San Francisco, CA 94129

Hand Deliver to:

GFNMS/Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA) Building 991 Crissy Field, The Presidio

RECORDING DATA DURING BEACH SURVEYS

A. General Beach Monitoring Information

Use the forms illustrated in Figures 1- 3 to complete your survey. Consult Table 6 and Table 8 for detailed descriptions of each field. Fill out the forms completely and be sure to write legibly. Check the Equipment List (Table 1) to make certain you have the necessary items to properly conduct your survey before you leave home.

General data recorded for each survey include:

Beach segment name and number Page number Date, time begin, time end Percentage of dead vertebrates surveyed Percentage of live vertebrates surveyed Reason for cancellation (when appropriate) Special survey information (when appropriate) GPS info included with photos Beginning tide height Maximum Beaufort Wind Scale number Approximate visibility Names of surveyors

Hours worked and miles traveled

The general survey data are recorded at the top of the Beach Monitoring Survey

Form. An example of the Beach Monitoring Survey Forms is in Figures 1/1A. Note the time at the beginning and the end of the survey in military time; 0900 is 9:00 AM; 1330 is military time for 1:30 PM. Always round the time up to the nearest quarter hour; 1425 would be recorded as 1430. Record the tide height in feet to the nearest tenth (e.g. 1.2) at the beginning of the survey. Tidebooks note the time and tide height for the maximum high and low tides each day. By using a tide log or checking a website such as http://www.saltwatertides.com , you can determine the tide height for your beach at the beginning of your survey. When surveys are cut short due to high tides or inclement weather, note the percentage of the survey completed.

Record a general assessment of weather during the survey, including minimum visibility and maximum wind speed. Wind speed can be estimated by the appearance of the sea state beyond the outer breakers. Use the Beaufort Wind Scale (Table 2) to approximate the wind speed and record the Beaufort number in the place provided on the form. If you cannot see beyond the breakers then use the effect observed on land portion of the Beaufort Wind Scale. Record the visibility by estimating the minimum distance of visibility during the survey.

Record the name(s) of the surveyors conducting the survey and their prep and survey time, making sure to include guests that are joining you on your survey. Also include the total number of miles traveled per car.

Note any additional information on the reverse side of the Beach Monitoring form as general comments. Comments may include information about environmental conditions, oil on the beach, condition, or flow of permanent drains and culverts, closure of rivers and lagoons, number of active nest sites, perceived violations or any unusual or noteworthy sightings.

http://www.saltwatertides.com/

B. Cancelled Surveys

If you have to cancel a survey due to extreme or dangerous weather conditions, record the minimum data on your data sheets. Minimum data recorded for each survey include:

Beach segment name and number Date Reason for cancellation Names of surveyors

Minimum data must be entered on-line when a survey has been cancelled.

If a Beach Watch surveyor is unable to conduct a scheduled survey because of personal concerns it is the surveyor’s responsibility to find a trained Beach Watch substitute. Please contact three volunteers and/or place a request on the Beach Watch list serve, beachwatchlist@willamette.nos.noaa.gov. Please allow sufficient time to find a suitable replacement.

Table 2. Beaufort Wind Scale (Chapman Piloting 1985)

WIND SPEED ESTIMATING WIND SPEED

Knots mph km/hr Effects Observed at Sea

Effects Observed Near

Land Effect Observed on Land

0 under under under

Calm Sea like a mirror Calm Calm; smoke rises vertically

1 1-3 1-3 1-5 Light Air Ripples with appearance of scales; no foam crests

Small sailboat just has steerage way

Smoke drift indicates wind direction; vanes do not move

2 4-6 4-7 6-11 Light

Breeze

Small wavelets; crests of glassy appearance, not breaking

Wind fills the sails of small boats which then travel at about 1-2 knots

Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; vanes begin to move

3 7-10 8-12 12-19 Gentle

Breeze

Large wavelets; crests begin to break, scattered whitecaps

Sailboats begin to heel and travel at about 3-4 knots

Leaves, small twigs in constant motion; light flags extended

4 11-16 13-18 20-28 Moderate Breeze

Small waves 0.5-1.25 meters high, becoming longer; numerous whitecaps

Good working breeze, sailboats carry all sail with good heel

Dust, leaves, and loose paper raised up; small branches move

5 17-21 19-24 29-38 Fresh Breeze

Moderate waves of 1.25-

2.5 meters taking longer form; many whitecaps;

some spray

Sailboats shorten sail Small trees in leaf begin to sway

6 22-27 25-31 39-49 Strong

Breeze

Larger waves 2.5-4 meters forming;

whitecaps everywhere;

more spray

Sailboats have double reefed mainsails

Larger branches of trees in motion; whistling heard in wires

7 28-33 32-38 50-61 Near Gale Sea heaps up, waves 4-6 meters; white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown in streaks

Boats remain in harbor;

those at sea heave-to

Whole trees in motion;

resistance felt in walking against wind

8 34-40 39-46 62-74 Gale Moderately high (4-6 meter) waves of greater length;

edges of crests begin to break into spindrift; foam is blown in well-marked streaks

All boats make for harbor, if near

Twigs and small branches broken of trees; progress generally impaired

9 41-47 17-54 75-88 Strong Gale High waves (6 meters) sea begins to roll; dense streaks of foam; spray may reduce visibility

Slight structural damage occurs; slate blown from roofs

10 48-55 55-63 89-

Storm Very high waves (6-9 meters) with overhanging crests; sea takes a white appearance as foam is blown in very dense streaks; rolling is heavy and visibility is reduced

Seldom experienced on land; trees broken or uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs

11 56-63 64-72 103-

Violent Storm

Exceptionally high (9-14 meter) waves, sea covered with white foam patches; visibility still more reduced

Very rarely experienced on land; usually accompanied by widespread damage

12 64 & over

73 & over over

Hurricane Air filled with foam;

waves over 14 meters;

sea completely white with driving spray;

visibility greatly reduced

DEAD VERTEBRATES DATA COLLECTION

Record and photograph all dead vertebrates (birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish) found during a survey in the “Dead Vertebrates” section of the Beach Monitoring Survey Form (Figure 1/1A). Figure 1/1A shows examples of dead vertebrate documentation.

Consult Table 6 for descriptions and codes for each field.

For each dead specimen you must record:

specimen number species code or name condition sex (when possible) age (when possible) photo whether oiled and oiled extent and location evidence of scavenging probable cause of death (when possible) tag number, color and location bill wing tarsus sternum comments (e.g. who was notified; if the carcass was collected)

A. Specimen Number and Species Code

Assign a specimen number to each animal, in the order it is found, and record this number in the first column. Include this same specimen number on the Photo Documentation Log, (Figure 3/3A) in the specimen number column when you photograph the animal. Record the four-letter species abbreviation code (Table 9) for the specimen in the second column.

B. Condition

Record the condition of the carcass as fresh (2), decomposing (3), or mummified (4). Fresh dead carcasses are carcasses without signs of decomposition and have normal color and shape. If eyes are still present they will be full and clear if the specimen is fresh dead. Decomposing carcasses will have changed coloration and have rotting flesh. If eyes are present they are dull and flattened. Mummified carcasses are desiccated, dried out and stiff. (A code 1 for condition is used for live animals only during oil spill response efforts.)

C. Sexing and Aging

Recording the sex and age of dead specimens is important because there may be environmental conditions causing a bias toward a particular sex or age group that can affect the degree of impact on a population. Knowledge of morphological details is required to sex and age seabirds and marine mammals. Surveyors must gain knowledge beforehand to be competent.

It is possible to determine the age of birds by differences in plumage, or to determine the age class of a pinniped by approximating the length and weight and examining the development of the sagittal crest in males. These are only two of the many ways that observers can learn to identify age and sex classes of particular species. Record the appropriate age class (Table 6) for each specimen.

For further information, see Beached Marine Birds and Mammals of North

America: A Revised Guide to Their Identification.

D. Photograph

Every dead vertebrate should be photographed. The specimen number on the

Beach Monitoring Survey Form (Figure 1/1A) must correspond with the specimen number on the Photo Documentation Log (Figure 3/3A). The photographs are examined by experts to verify species identification, sex, and age. Please take clear photographs of key identifying features, make sure to brush off sand and fill the frame completely with the subject of photograph. (See Photo Documentation section for more details.)

E. Oil, Oil Extent, and Where Oiled

When oil is found on an organism record its presence, extent, and where the oil is on the specimen. If you observe oil on the animal, mark Y (yes) in the “oiled” column. If you mark Y, you need to collect a sample. If you do not see oil, mark N (no), regardless of the amount of scavenging or decomposition that has taken place. If you see a substance on the animal but cannot determine if it is oil, collect the sample and label S (sample taken).

Oil extent is coverage of oil on the specimen expressed as a percent on the body (Table 6).

Oiled Location is where on the body oil occurs (Table 6). If there is no oil for any of these categories, draw a line through the column.

F. Scavenging

In addition to the condition of the carcass, it is important to know whether a carcass has been scavenged. Scavengers (e.g., raccoons, coyotes, rats, opossum, fox, Turkey Vultures, Common Ravens, American Crows, and gulls) may consume parts of carcasses, making them appear more decomposed than others that have not been scavenged. The beach monitor should look for signs and record that part of the carcass has been eaten. Vultures can reduce a fresh carcass to skin and bones in just one morning. A recently dead bird that has been heavily scavenged looks like bones and skin/feathers. This can mislead inexperienced monitors into thinking that carcasses have been present for a long time and mistakenly record them as decomposed. Scavenging can often be identified when the bird's feathering has been turned inside out (skin on the outside and the feathers on the inside). Skin and feathers often are pulled over the head by a scavenger, so that the bill is hidden inside the neck feathering. In order to avoid classifying a fresh carcass as decomposing, look for bones that retain a reddish-brown color and tissue that may be left on the bone. The tissue will be bright red to brown-red. In fresh dead specimens sometimes blood or bile will be present. Holes in marine mammal flesh will increase in diameter as the carcass decomposes.

G. Probable Cause of Death

Record all visible evidence for causes of death: shot; fishing related entanglement, entanglement in other marine debris; shark bite, oil, or unknown (Table 6). Some causes of death are often easy to detect, but most carcasses do not show a visible cause and must be recorded as "Unknown." Note in comments any information that suggests a cause of death.

If a carcass is entangled, record detailed information about the type of entanglement:

fishing line/hook, fishing net, rope, lures or flashers, balloons, string, packing strap, plastic, or other. Holes on a carcass can be made by a variety of scavengers as well as pre or post mortem gunshots. Typical gunshot holes are small or not visible. Holes made by scavengers are visible and sometimes large. When oil is found on an animal or when a bullet is found, contact the Sanctuary as soon as your survey is complete. See Table 3 for notification list and procedures.

H. Tag, Color, and Location

Many birds, fish and marine mammals are tagged and/or banded by various research groups, state and federal agencies. Tags and bands come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some tags can have more than an identification function. When a tag or band is found on a dead animal: 1) record the species, 2) record the location of the tag and to which limb it is attached, 3) photograph the device before you remove it from the animal, 4) collect the tag, and 5) bring or mail the tag to the Beach Watch office. Do not notify the National Marine Mammal Lab (NMML) or US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) directly. Beach Watch staff will send the information to the proper research facility. Some animals have a combination of tags on them, signifying sex, age or location at the time of tagging. When you see more than one tag on an animal, record all of the pertinent information including color(s) and placement of tag(s) in relationship to each other. Many shorebirds will have two bands of different colors on the same leg. Note which leg the bands are on and which color band is on top and which is on the bottom.

I. Bill

For each dead bird, document whether the bird’s bill is present and intact. For a bill to be considered present it must be visible in a photograph and intact from tip to feather line. This is one of four variables we measure to document completeness of a dead bird.

J. Wing

For each dead bird, document the number of present and intact wings. An intact wing is where the outermost primaries are present representing the complete wing chord of the bird. This is one of four variables we measure to document completeness of a dead bird.

K. Tarsus

For each dead bird, document the number of present and intact tarsus bones. This is one of four variables we measure to document completeness of a dead bird.

L. Sternum For each dead bird, document whether the sternum is visible and intact. This is one of four variables we measure to document completeness of a dead bird.

M. Comments

Please check this box if you included notes on the back of the form to include any pertinent information to the dead species. Note if you have collected the animal and its disposition. Note: Under this project you are only allowed to collect oiled carcasses, oiled tissue samples and dead Marbled Murrelets. Surveyors who attend advanced training will also collect fresh dead, whole birds for postmortem examination when applicable.

This can include whole, fresh terrestrial/land birds such as crows, ravens, sparrows, and raptors for West Nile Virus testing. Participation in this program does not allow you to collect for private use or. You must document where you dispose of the samples, it will usually be California Department of Fish and Game, or California Academy of Sciences.

Notification of dead marine mammals to the Beach Watch phone and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network must also be noted in Comments. Also indicate any other agencies that were contacted.Also include status of stream or lagoon openings to the ocean, as well as outflow of culverts to ocean.

N. Marking Carcasses

After noting all of the above information, mark each dead vertebrate in a distinctive manner so that it will not be counted on a subsequent census. For birds, clip the feet or toes and the tips of the outer primaries of each wing with a pair of scissors or pruning shears. Count each bird or mammal carcass only once; it will be assumed that the carcass is left on the beach unless otherwise noted.

Normally for marine mammals, a member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN) will want to document and sample these specimens. If you discover the carcass prior to the MMSN volunteer, tightly tie a strip of cotton cloth around the hind flippers. Record in the comments section of Dead Vertebrates which institutions were notified of the carcass. On subsequent surveys, check each carcass to determine whether it has been previously marked. If another team surveys your beach, contact a member of the second survey team and notify them of the details surrounding each marine mammal carcass (species, date recorded, number, location, size and age).

Report all dead marine mammals and sea turtles to the Beach Watch phone and to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In our area, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network is staffed by the California Academy of Sciences. The Stranding Network depends on you for prompt and accurate notification identification, condition of the carcass, estimated length, and a detailed description of location and distance from the water. As soon as you have completed your survey, call the Beach Watch phone at (415) 987-0412 and either the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (415) 379-5371 or California Department of Fish and Game at (831) 469-1745 as applicable.

Table 3. Notification List When Specimen has been collected

O. Unusual Bird and Rare Specimens

The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) requested to be informed about rare and unusual specimens not in their collection. If you find any of the bird or mammal species listed in Table 4, contact the CAS and give them precise instructions for locating the carcass at (415) 379-5371 (same as the MM Hotline).

Sanctuary Beach Watch Phone – call within 2 hrs. of survey where something has been collected

(415) 987-0412

Marine Mammal Stranding Network (California

Academy of Sciences)

-Dead Marine Mammals, specified Terrestrial

Mammals, and specified Birds

(415) 379-5371

California Department of Fish and Game

-Extremely fresh Dead Birds Only (must then be shipped overnight

(831)469-1745 or

(831) 469-1725

Table 4. Unusual and Rare Bird Species

CATEGORY I: Contact California Academy of Sciences when you find the following birds and the carcass is fresh, decomposing or mummified. The majority of the skeleton must be intact.

Loons: Arctic, Red-throated, Yellow-billed

Albatrosses: All species

Shearwaters: Short-tailed, Flesh-footed, Pink-footed, Streaked, Buller's, Black-vented

Frigatebirds: All species

Tropicbirds: All species

Boobies: All species

Skua: South Polar

Auklets: Parakeet, Crested, Whiskered, Least

Puffins: Horned

Murre: Thick-billed Murre

Category II: Contact Cal Academy when you find carcasses of the following birds when the specimen is fresh and without or only minor scavenging.

Grebes: Red-necked, Horned

Shearwaters: Sooty

Fulmar Northern

Storm-Petrels: Leach's, Black, Ashy, Fork-tailed, Wedge-rumped, Least

Jaegers: All species

Gulls: Franklin's, Mew, Sabine's, Glaucous

Kittiwake: Black-legged

Terns: Common, Arctic, Aleutian, Least, Black, Royal, Elegant, Caspian

Skimmer: Black

Murrelets: Kittlitz's, Scripp’s, Guadalupe, Craveri’s, Ancient

Auklets: Cassin's, Rhinoceros

Puffins: Tufted

Report these Mammals to California Academy of Sciences with their level of decomposition:

Fisher Mink Mountain Beaver Bobcat Gray Fox All Bats

Ringtail Cat Weasel Coyote Badger Mountain Lion

Collect all Marbled Murrelets, regardless of state of decomposition or level of scavenging for the

GFNMS and CDFG.

P. Previously Documented Dead Vertebrates

When you find a dead animal that has already been marked by a Beach Watch surveyor, do not double-count the carcass under Dead Vertebrates but record it under “Previously Documented Dead Vertebrates.” Note the number of each previously documented species. Check the carcass carefully. Occasionally you will find a bird or mammal that was initially documented on a different beach and re-deposited here, so it may have unfamiliar clippings. Beach Watch surveyors are currently the only local group that clips wings, toes, and/or legs of dead birds. The volunteers for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN) occasionally tie cotton cloth around the flippers of marine mammals. They use only striped cloth. If you find a marine mammal with striped cloth around it, Beach Watch has not yet documented the animal and you should document the carcass in the Dead Vertebrates section. Beach Watch surveyors mark marine mammals with cotton cloth strips that have a print or pattern other than stripes. The cloth strip occasionally falls off, so if you suspect that you have previously documented the carcass, but are uncertain, note this information in the Dead Vertebrates section and Sanctuary staff will review the photos and decide if it is the same animal. By communicating your survey results with the alternating survey team will reduce or eliminate double counting.

Q. Invertebrate/Wrack Documentation

As you are scanning the beach looking for dead vertebrates, note the relative abundance of invertebrates, plants, algae and wood found during the survey.

Invertebrates and wrack (vegetation and wood) are tallied on the Beach Monitoring Survey Form and recorded as an abundance code. (Figures 1/1A and Table 5).

Table 5. Abundance Codes

Code 1 = 1 – 10

Code 2 = 10 – 100

Code 3 = 100 – 1,000

Code 4 = 1,000 – 10,000

Code 5 = 10,000 – 100,000

Code 6 = 100,000 – 1,000,000

Code 7 = > 1,000,000

Figure 1: Beach Monitoring Survey Form

Figure 1A: Example of a completed Beach Monitoring Survey Form

Figure 1B: Example of notes on backside of Beach Monitoring Survey Form

Table 6. Beach Monitoring Survey Form Brief Description

Survey Information

Time Begin and Time End: Time survey began and ended, in 24-hour military time

(e.g., 0900 = 9:00 am and 1345 = 1:45 pm).

Page numbers: Enter the number of pages used on a specific survey including photo log and oil descriptor form; if you have 3 pages then you would number them consecutively 1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3 etc.

Date: Enter the complete date (e.g.: 1/30/2012). Do not leave out year.

Beach Segment #: Number of the beach as designated in the Maps and Beach Description section of this manual.

Beach Segment Name: Name of the beach segment, designated in the Maps and Beach

Description section of this manual.

% Dead Surveyed: Enter percent of beach surveyed for dead vertebrates. If less than 100%, explain in header information.

% Live Surveyed: Enter percent of beach surveyed for live vertebrates and human activity. If less than 100%, explain in header information.

Survey Cancelled (check box): If the survey was cancelled, check the box and note reason.

Special survey name: If requested to conduct a specific survey, (such as for an oil spill, boat grounding, or mass mortality of a seabird species), enter on this line the name of the special survey as given to you by Beach Watch staff.

Also a Scheduled Survey checkbox: If you are conducting a special survey on your regularly scheduled survey date, check this box.

Photos with GPS Info: If you have used a geotagging camera on your survey, check this box.

Weather Beginning Tide Ht: The tide height at the start of the survey as taken from a tide book, tide log, computer/PDA program, or website, corrected for the beach location. Tide should be entered to the nearest tenth of a foot (e.g. 3.2 ft.).

Maximum Beaufort Wind Scale: Maximum wind speed during the survey. The

Beaufort scale estimates wind velocity on a scale of 1-12. See Table 2 for scale.

Approx. Visibility: Circle the proper range of minimum visibility during the survey.

Volunteer Information Surveyor: Enter first and last names of all surveyors participating in the survey. Include names of any guests that join you on your survey.

Prep. Time: This is the time it takes for each member of the survey team to prepare and get ready for that particular survey as well as additional time needed to complete and check your forms after your survey. It includes any time needed to hike into/out of your beach segment. It does NOT include data entry, the entry program logs your entry time for you.

Survey Time: This is the total number of survey hours spent on the beach by each surveyor participating in the specific survey, and does not include the walk to the beach or drive time to and from the beach.

Roundtrip Drive Time: The total number of hours for each surveyor to drive to the beach and back. This does not include the time it takes to walk from your car to the beach.

Total Volunteer Time: Total the prep time, survey time and roundtrip drive time for each surveyor. Add each surveyor’s totals together and enter in Total.

Roundtrip Mileage per Car: Total number of miles traveled per car for a specific survey. Record total mileage at the bottom of the column. If you carpool, only record the driver’s mileage.

Dead Vertebrates Specimen No.: Consecutive number given to the dead vertebrate specimens as they are found on the beach. Must match numbers on photo log.

Species: Enter the four-letter species code of the specimen. Consult the Master

Abbreviation Code List for All Species (Table 9). Consult your field guide if the species appears to be missing from the list, you may not be using the correct species name (i.e. you will not find White Pelican on the list, but you will find American White Pelican). If you cannot identify to species, record the code of the closest family group (i.e. use ACCR if it was either an American Crow or Common Raven but species was not determined, or

GULL for unidentified Gull). When identification is not possible use codes such as SEAB

(unidentified marine bird) or BIRD (unidentified marine or terrestrial bird). DO NOT

GUESS ON SPECIES. If you don’t know what it was use the appropriate code, and do your homework so you will know what it is on the next survey. If a species is not on the list (the data entry system will only let you enter species on the list) but you know what it was enter code ZZZZ and in notes explain what the species was. We will then add this species to the code list. DO NOT use ZZZZ if you aren’t sure what the species was. Enter

NONE if no dead specimens are found during the survey.

Condition: Physical condition of the specimen (1 is alive and not used by Beach Watch).

2 fresh dead

3 decomposing

4 dried, mummified

Sex: Gender of Specimen.

M male F female U unknown

Age: Specimen age class.

HY hatch year, non-gulls AD after hatch year, adult birds (all gulls and non-gulls), adult mammals

FY first year, gulls SY second year, gulls TY third year, gulls IM immature, mammals PC pup/calf, mammals

U unknown, all vertebrates

Photo: Whether a photo was taken of the specimen or not. If no photo is taken, note why in comments.

Y yes N no

Oiled: Whether the specimen has oil on it or not.

Y yes (collect sample); note in the Comments section.

N no (if no obvious oil enter N) S If there is a substance on the specimen, but you are not sure if it is oil, S is entered. Collect sample and note in the Comments section.

(enter S only if there is some evidence of possible oil, beware of algae stains and bile)

Oil Extent: Coverage of oil on the specimen expressed as a percent.

1 < 2% of body, small globules

2 3-33% of body

3 34-66% of body

4 67- 100% of body

N no oil present

Oiled Location: Where on the body oil occurs, if more than one location include all that applies.

1 dorsal

2 ventral

3 entire body

4 head 5 feet

6 wings/flippers

7 other

N no oil present

Scavenged: Whether or not the specimen has been scavenged.

Y yes

N no U unknown

Probable Cause of Death: Probable causes of death. (If a bird specimen is oiled, assume this is the cause of death.)

S shot F fishing related entanglement (comments required see *) E entanglement in other marine debris (comments required see *) U unknown B bite (shark) O oil C other (enter an explanation in comments)

*If you choose F or E you will need to choose one of the following options 1-9.

1 fishing line/hook 2 fishing net

3 rope

4 lures or flashers

5 balloons

6 string 7 packing strap

8 plastic

9 other

Tag Color and Location: Record and photograph any tags, bands, or markings found on the dead specimen, collect the tag, and send it to GFNMS office. Record the tag color(s), number(s), and location of the tag and to which limb it is attached. Enter any additional notes in the Comments field. Examples: left foot, right foot, left hind flipper, right hind flipper, left fore flipper, right fore flipper, back.

Bill: For each dead bird, document whether the birds bill is present and intact. For a bill to be considered present it must be intact from tip to feather line.

Y the bill is present and intact, or outer sheath present N the bill is not present or is not intact

U unknown, no data was taken

Wing: For each dead bird, document the…