Beach COMBERS Coastal Ocean Mammal / Bird Education and Research Surveys

"Keeping a finger on the pulse of the Sanctuary"

A beach monitoring study, utilizing volunteers to sample selected sections of beach for dead marine birds and mammals, was established within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in February 1997. The primary goal of the program, designated Beach COMBERS (Coastal Ocean Mammal / Bird Education and Research Surveys), is to obtain information on rates of stranding for all species of marine birds and mammals in Monterey Bay. The long-term objectives of the program are to provide a baseline of information on the average presence of beachcast marine organisms and to assist the Sanctuary in the early detection of mortality events triggered by natural and anthropogenic environmental perturbations such as red tides and oil spills. Pairs of trained volunteers survey their beach segment during the first week of each month at low tide.

For more information, please visit the BeachCOMBERS section of the SIMoN site.