Feature
City tractors have pushed up the sand to preserve it.
phytoplankton distribution, the Ocean Insti- tute deploys 120 micron horizontal plankton tows twice a month. After each sample is gath- ered, data including time, date, longitude, lat- itude, water temperature and salinity, along with a sample bottle of plankton are sent to the California Department of Public Health for analysis for monitoring marine biotoxins affect- ing our area’s shellfish.
Learning More San Clemente residents are naturally inter-
ested in the local effects of El Niño. The Jour- nal will hold an ongoing dialogue with the Ocean Institute (O.I.) as we learn more about this phenomenon. Scientists are studying our local waters, and are actively working with state and federal scientists in citizen science pro- grams to monitor oceanic and coastal changes. Citizen science consists of scientific research programs conducted by amateur or nonprofes- sional scientists. Through its Public Programs,
the Ocean Institute offers public participation opportunities that introduce the public to the collection and analysis of data; development of technology; testing of natural phenomena; and the dissemination of these activities by re- searchers. More information is available on their website:
www.Ocean-Institute.org/ In addition to focusing on the results of El
Niño, scientists at the Ocean Institute record daily wildlife sightings. Anything out of the or- dinary is reported to the Audubon Society (for birds) and the Cascadia Research Collective (for cetaceans such as whales and dolphins). 2015 was a banner year for whale sightings, in- cluding the usual Grays, Pilot whales, Hump- backs, Blues, Minkes, Fin and more. While weather predictions can only go
about 10 days out, many in the surf industry are expecting monster swells. During the last El Niño, surfers claimed to be “hangin’ ten” on 70 ft. waves. Surfin’ Safari, anyone?
High tide and storms send the sea into the parking lot in Capistrano Beach.
photo by Lisa Spinelli
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