The Southwest Fisheries Science Center would like to invite you and your students to follow our 2009 research survey: "Ecosystem Survey of Delphinus Species" (http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd-delphinus.aspx).

Between September 7th and December 2nd, 2009 we will be gathering biological, population and ecosystem data on short-beaked common dolphins and long-beaked common dolphins off southern California and Baja California, Mexico. We'll be sending out updates from the NOAA vessel McArthur II (http://www.moc.noaa.gov/mt/) and be available to students for questions.

Contact: Siri Hakala at: Siri.Hakala@noaa.gov


Questions we are asking:
* How are the dolphin populations structured?
* How many animals are in each population?
* What are the reproductive rates of the population?
* What are the contaminant concentrations in each species?
* What proportion of these dolphins move back and forth between US and Mexican waters?
* How is each dolphin population responding to changes in oceanographic conditions and habitat quality?


Because we're focusing on two local species we would love to be able to bring this survey into Southern California classrooms.

Ways to get involved:

1. Download curriculum from our website (to be posted in September - this will include powerpoint presentations, teachers' notes, and
student activities)

2. Follow our progress on a wiki site (contact Siri for details)- this will include content and videos posted weekly on the following topics:

Week 1: Introduction, Survey goals, Loading the ship

Week 2: NOAA Research Vessel McArthur II, virtual ship tour

Week 3: Habitat - Ship operations, oceanography, CTDs, XBTs

Week 4: Navigation

Week 5: Line-transect methodology, population estimates

Week 6: Other species in the California Bight (whales, birds etc.)

Week 7: Who's who - scientists, officers, crew

Week 8: Habitat - net tows

Week 9: Ship-board safety, drills etc.

Week 10: Day-in-the-life, galley, exercise room, flying bridge

Week 11: Biopsy sampling, hormone analysis, genetics

Week 12: Who's who II- scientists, officers, crew

Week 13: Habitat - squid jigging

Week 14: Summary


3. There will be limited opportunities for tours of the ship during San Diego inports. Contact Siri Hakala at: Siri.Hakala@noaa.gov for more information.

Thank you!

Siri Hakala
Biologist, Southwest Fisheries Science Center Protected Resources
Division
Siri.Hakala@noaa.gov.