IN THIS ISSUE

When is a Sanctuary Not a Sanctuary?

Greetings from Crissy Field

Volunteer Spotlight:
Sanctuary Steward Robyn Grahn

In the News: Daring Rescue of Entangled Humpback Whale near Farallones

Wildlife Spotlight:
Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)

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Catch the Third Wave of the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, a cinematic celebration of the ocean taking place January 13th-15th. Independent masterpieces of the underwater world spotlight conservation issues, ocean sports, and island cultures. Don't miss this special film festival!

The Gala Event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is happening at the Fairmont on April 20th.

See the Gray Whale southern migration with the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association! We're going out to the Farallones on January 21st, eager for viewings of these majestic migrating whales. Contact Dru Devlin at ddevlin@farallones.org or 415-561-6625 for more information.

When is a Sanctuary Not a Sanctuary?

Guest commentator, Richard Charter, Co-Chair, National OCS Coalition

Congress OK’s Use of Seismic Airguns for Oil and Gas Exploration in Our Sanctuaries
This is a time of increasing political threats to ocean and terrestrial ecosystems alike. The good news is that Congress managed to renew our annual legislative Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) “moratorium” for the twenty-fourth consecutive year, extending this fragile web of protection through October 1, 2006.  This action provides another year of drilling prohibitions for our coasts. Continued >>

 

Greetings from Crissy Field

Dear Sanctuary Steward,

Season’s greetings! The holidays are upon us and you still haven’t finished your shopping? Consider avoiding the crowds, the stores and the rampant consumerism.

A lovely gift that will tuck nicely into a stocking is a membership to the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. Your gift helps us to protect the wildlife and habitat of the beautiful national park just off our shore.

A new tax law, passed in the wake of the Katrina disaster, allows one to write off up to 100% of your adjusted gross income on your tax returns if donations made to charitable organizations are made before December 31st.

Thanks so much for your support throughout the year. Have a peaceful and joyous holiday!

Best,

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Sanctuary Steward Robyn Grahn

Interviewed by Mara Flores Naumann

Robyn Grahn is so excited about marine issues that it is hard to keep up with her train of thought. She changes subjects often, jumping onto a new marine issue and exclaiming animatedly, her eyes sparkling and opening up wide. It's infectious, as she is obviously passionately concerned about the ocean. Robyn has been volunteering with the Sanctuary Naturalist Corps since February, and recently started leading education programs in the visitor center for K-6th grade classes. I recently interviewed Robyn, wanting to get a sense of what draws her to share her marine knowledge with young people. Continued >>

In the News: Daring Rescue of Entangled Humpback Whale near Farallones

Rescue divers and staff from The Marine Mammal Center cut free a trapped Humpback Whale on Sunday, 18 miles off the San Francisco coast in the open water of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The nylon ropes that link crab pots were wrapped so tightly around the 45 to 50 foot female Humpback Whale that they were leaving visible cuts in the animal's blubber and making rescuers fear for her life. Humpback Whales complete an annual migratory trip which takes them through the Sanctuary's waters. Straight to the source >>

Wildlife Spotlight: Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)

In December, male and female adult northern elephant seals haul out their huge bodies to fight, give birth, and mate at raucous rookeries on the Farallon Islands and at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The male elephant seal is a sight to behold, up to 15 feet long, 4,500 pounds, with a huge bulbous nose that inflates with air and makes a thundering noise used to intimidate other males. Female elephant seals are paltry and delicate in comparison, a third of the size of males at 10 feet and 1,500 pounds, a perpetual smile seeming to play upon their large faces. Bulls vocally threaten each other for access to females, sometimes rearing up their two-ton bodies to slash and bite each other, while the females are preparing to give birth and nurse their pups. On South East Farallon Island, approximately 300 pups will be born this breeding season, quadrupling their body size before being weaned. Continued >>