CICRU - Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit

06/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE! JOIN US! Friday, October 23rd, 2026, for a night of speakers and films at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History with Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area!

Sunday, October 25th, 2026, for whale watching aboard the Condor Express Whale Watching!

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

Boaters in the Santa Barbara Channel share the water with many protected marine species, especially whales. Whether you’re sailing, cruising, or whale watching, staying informed helps keep both people and marine wildlife safe. 🐋

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has just released a new free online boater education course called "See a Spout? Watch Out!" If you’re a recreational boater, you can complete the course and learn how to safely navigate around whales at sea.

See A Spout’s tips will make you aware of safe operational procedures and whale watching guidelines that will allow for a safer experience and help you view whales while respecting federal whale protection laws. Following these practices helps reduce disturbance to marine mammals and lowers the risk of injury for both animals and boaters.

Find the course here: https://seeaspout.org/boating-course/

Together, we can protect the wildlife and incredible biodiversity that makes our Channel so special. 💙

05/26/2026

[Update May 28, 2026: A recording of the "Plight of the Grey Whales" webinar is at https://mersociety.org/news-media/all/plight-of-grey-whales-call-to-action]

Please join us.
To aid the awakening about the need for action for Grey Whales, we will host a free webinar on May 27th, starting at 7 pm. Concerns for Grey Whales include the number found dead and emaciated, and the increased risk of collision.

We are very grateful for the great expertise joining us:

John Calambokidis is the senior Research Biologist and founder of the Cascadia Research Collective. Cascadia's work includes conducting necropsies on the Grey Whales found dead in Washington State.

Wendy Szaniszlo, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has studied Grey Whales in BC for over 20 years in various capacities.

Paul Cottrell is Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Marine Mammal Coordinator on the Pacific coast. Paul will be sharing what is known of the known dead Grey Whales off the coast of B.C.

MERS Research Associates, Ashley Hoyland and Mark Sawyer of Whales of Clayoquot & Barkley, study the body condition of Grey Whales off SW Vancouver Island.

Details and registration at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/webinar-plight-of-grey-whales

The event will be recorded and shared with those who registered.

05/24/2026

NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program story map

This comprehensive story map highlights NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program and captures their journey through the 2024-25 monitoring surveys in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Data from these monitoring efforts help inform coral reef management, conservation, and restoration practices.

This story map visually narrates NOAA’s coral reef monitoring efforts in the Atlantic and Caribbean, highlighting the team behind the work and the ecosystems they study. It showcases why these reefs matter and how monitoring supports the protection of these vital marine habitats.

Learn more: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/10ba2cecb4cd4cb08fe4324845104af3/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery

05/24/2026

2026 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

Celebrate the beauty, wonder, and diversity of America's
national marine sanctuaries through your lens!

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is opening the 2026 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest, inviting photographers, divers, boaters, surfers, paddlers, beachgoers, students, scientists, and coastal communities to share images from national marine sanctuaries and other ocean and Great Lakes places.

This year’s contest introduces four new categories. The photo contest runs through Labor Day, September 7, 2026, making it a great summer opportunity for anyone exploring the coast, Great Lakes, or national marine sanctuaries to share their perspective.

Show the world what the ocean and Great Lakes mean to you.
• Life in Motion challenges photographers to capture natural wildlife behavior, from feeding and hunting to schooling, caregiving, and symbiotic relationships.
• Sanctuaries and You highlights the ways people experience sanctuaries through diving, boating, paddling, research, education, and everyday moments on or near the water.
• The Water’s Edge explores the boundary where land and sea meet, including shorelines, tidepools, coastal landscapes, and split-level perspectives.
• Ripples From the Past focuses on maritime heritage, including shipwrecks, aircraft, lighthouses, historic bridges, and cultural landmarks.
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Learn more: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/photo-contest.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery

05/21/2026

Sei whales are sharing their spring habitat with USA's busiest port.

A new study has found that endangered sei whales regularly use New York's coastal waters each spring, raising urgent questions about the impact of one of America's busiest port complexes on the species.

Endangered sei whales are regularly using the waters of the New York Bight each spring, an exciting new study has found, carrying significant implications for the management of one of the busiest and most industrially active stretches of coastline in the United States.

Led by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the research used acoustic monitoring technology to track the presence and vocal behaviour of sei whales in the waters off New York and New Jersey between 2017 and 2020.

What the data revealed was not the occasional, incidental passage of a wandering individual, but a consistent, structured seasonal pattern – the hallmark of a species that knows exactly where it is going, and when.

“This is the first detailed analysis of daily and seasonal acoustic patterns for sei whales in the New York Bight,” said Maria Papadopoulos, lead author of the study with WCS and graduate researcher at Columbia University. “We found that 95% of sei whale vocalisations were detected between March and May, with activity peaking in the late spring, when temperatures are between 41° and 48° Fahrenheit. This highlights a narrow environmental window when the whales are most likely to be present, potentially linked to prey availability.”

Learn more: https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/sei-whales-are-sharing-their-spring-habitat-with-usas-busiest-port/?utm_campaign=34322705-Ocean%20Insights%202026&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_XvQ2zEapXv1N6_Faafuo-7xnbtpcJHoItiS6NdXpj3FUGD7g4nXQzX8xQ4PuWhFl0E-Dl17eRkurepYd9DOk6GGPO1g&_hsmi=413037447&utm_content=413037447&utm_source=hs_email

05/21/2026

Endangered Killer Whales Known for Isolation May Depend on Their Interaction with Other Populations

Scientists describe an additional factor affecting the future of Southern Residents.

Endangered Southern Resident killer whales are known for the tight-knit family structure that isolates them from other killer whale populations. In 2005, NOAA Fisheries listed the whales as a Distinct Population Segment under the Endangered Species Act due to their unique genetic legacy and endangered status. The 74 whales remain at risk from insufficient prey, environmental contaminants, disturbance and inbreeding.

In a recent study, scientists report that a fifth factor—interactions with other killer whale populations—may determine their future. They say such interactions may take three forms: competition for prey, sharing habitat, and interbreeding.

Learn more: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/endangered-killer-whales-known-isolation-may-depend-their-interaction-other?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Photo by Katy Foster/NOAA Fisheries, under permit 18786.

05/18/2026

Ocean Conservancy’s Photo Contest is back!

Got a shot that captures the magic of the deep blue or the wonder of incredible marine wildlife? We want to see it.

From crashing waves and glowing coral reefs to breaching whales and curious nudibranchs, your lens has the power to tell stories that inspire, protect and amaze. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just happened to catch a once-in-a-lifetime moment, this is your chance to share it with the world—and win exciting prizes!

Enter now: https://oceanconservancy.org/photocontest/?ea.tracking.id=26LPEBBNXX&utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=monthlynewsletter202605&utm_content=20260507-MonthlyNewsletter-Prospects-Email1A-26LPEBBNXX

05/18/2026

4 Ways to Help Protect the Ocean at the Beach This Summer!

The beach brings us so much joy, but are you doing all you can to help take care of our ocean when you visit?

Beach season in the U.S. arrives in just a few weeks, and millions across the country will visit their favorite shorelines. But do you know the best ways to keep our ocean healthy while enjoying it this summer? Check out our top tips on what you can do to protect the ocean while enjoying all it brings us as summer approaches.

Summer has finally arrived, and millions across the country are starting to hit the beaches. It’s no secret that if you’re excited about visiting the beach, you probably love the ocean…but do you know the best methods for keeping the ocean safe while you’re enjoying it? Check out these four ...