ESS 15: Introduction to Oceanography

March 8 Grunion/Santa Monica Pier Extra Credit Field Trip

Description:

The grunion run is one of Southern California’s signature oceanographic events. Every two weeks during the Spring and early Summer, small blue grunion will swim up onto the beach at high tide, where they spawn and bury eggs in the wet sand. Two weeks later, during the next Spring high tide, the eggs hatch and baby grunion return to the ocean to grow. You can learn more about grunion at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp and http://www.grunion.org/

This year the first grunion spawning window will occur from March 7-10, corresponding to the New Moon. Since the RV Sea World UCLA will not be available for educational field trips this year, we will try making the grunion an alternative option. Please bear in mind that this is the first attempt at a grunion field trip associated with ESS 15, so the logistics and timing may not be ideal. In order to accommodate as many of you as wish to come, the trip will start at the Santa Monica Pier, with students responsible for their own transportation to and from UCLA. In future years we may be able to charter a bus to make the trip more convenient, and allow access to more remote beach areas.

Based on historical grunion spawning data, it is typical for the best runs to occur towards the middle of each spawning window. This suggests that the best day for an excursion will be March 8 (Saturday night), from 9:45pm – 11:45pm, and especially from 10:45pm-11:45pm. However, since this is the first window of the season, there is no guarantee of strong spawning activity (April and May are typically the peak months).

This spawning window corresponds to the New Moon, so the beach will likely be very dark. Please take precautions to maximize your safety – stay in a group, and make sure to have a flashlight and (if possible) a cell phone. If the weather is bad (stormy, windy, low visibility or high surf) please do not approach the shoreline.

Where to go:

Grunion spawning occurs at many beaches up and down the Pacific coast, and tends to concentrate in relatively quiet areas. However, because of the safety & logistical issues I would like to stay close to the Santa Monica Pier, which is reasonably well lit and easily accessible from the UCLA campus.

By Bus:

Big Blue Bus routes 1, 2, and 3 all run from the UCLA campus to downtown Santa Monica, within a short (~3 block) walk of the pier. Route 1 (http://www.bigbluebus.com/busroutes/location/index.asp?routeid=1) includes a stop at the corner of Ocean & Colorado, within 1 block of the pier. Note that the last Big Blue Bus (Route 1) to return to the UCLA campus leaves at approximately 11:35pm, and make sure to allow time get back from the beach to the bus stop.

By Car:

The Santa Monica Pier is located at the intersection of Ocean Ave. and Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica, approximately 15-20 minutes drive from the UCLA campus. This is quite close to the 3^rd Street Promenade, and there are many options for parking (http://parking.smgov.net/) The Pier Deck Parking Lot (on the Pier) and Lot 1 North (accessible from the Pacific Coast Highway) are both open until midnight, and cost $6-8 per car. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Where to meet:

I will be stationed on the northwest side of the Pier at a position even with the shoreline from 9:45p to ~10:30p, or until spawning is evident. This corresponds roughly to the location of the Playland Arcade. From there, if it appears that any spawning is happening, we may move down to the beach northwest of the Pier. You are not required to stay with me, but I would appreciate it if you checked in when you arrive. If you wish to visit a different spawning beach just let me know where you plan to go.

What to bring:

Warm clothing (in layers) -- The beach air can be cold & breezy at night.

Sensible shoes (sneakers or boots) – With luck we will be able to go down to the sand to see the spawning, which will mean a fair walk across the sand and possible contact with waves breaking on the beach. Please do not wade or swim.

Flashlight – There will be no moonlight, only lights from the pier and possibly (depending on the cloud conditions) sky glare from the city.

Cell Phone/security whistle – For security and communication.

Notepad & pencil – To take notes for your trip report.

Camera (with flash) – Optional.

What to do:

Watch the show! Hopefully we will be able to see some spawning activity near the Pier. Please remain in groups, and try not to disturb fish if you see them. Grunion will try to avoid loud noises and flashlights.

Be safe! It is illegal to harvest grunion without a valid fishing permit.

You do not have to stay for the full two hours. I will try to give advance notice if the weather forecast is unfavorable.

After you return to UCLA, write a ~2 page (double-spaced) description of your trip experience. You may want to include extra information about grunion and the monthly tide cycle. Attendance + summary is worth 1 point of extra credit (out of 2 possible for the class).