Bay Nature stories about the Pacific Ocean.

Protecting the Little Fish, Food for Many

July 12, 2011 •  by

They’re the little guys. Small, silver, nondescript fish that are so hard to tell apart that many people simply call them “baitfish.” But though they don’t command the attention of a breaching humpback whale or trophy tuna, these humble creatures–from anchovies to squid–play a starring role in local marine ecosystems. New legislation aims to force fisheries managers to consider that role when writing plans for the state’s commercial fishing fleet.

“Washed Ashore” Exhibit Turns Ocean Plastic into Monumental Sculptures

July 1, 2011 •  by

The 16 giant plastic sea creature sculptures on display at the Marine Mammal Center arose from artist Angela Pozzi’s desire to find solace in the ocean: “I went to the ocean to look for healing, but I found that the ocean needed healing before it could heal me.” Her new exhibit, Washed Ashore, is on display through October 15, 2011.

Support Your Local Ocean!

June 1, 2011 •  by

June 8 is World Oceans Day, but what’s the big deal with celebrating our oceans? Well, generally, we’ve polluted, over-fished, and taken these vastly unexplored bodies of water for granted, and it’s only fair that we take a day to recognize all they do for us! Starting June 4, local groups stand ready to help you help the oceans, and learn a lot and have fun while you’re at it.

Of Mice and Birds at the Farallones

May 26, 2011 •  by

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials extended to June 10 the deadline for accepting public comments on a controversial proposal to eradicate nonnative house mice on the Southeast Farallon Islands. Opponents cite concerns that the poisons will endanger a range of wildlife on or near the islands, while proponents say the project will help threatened seabirds and the island ecosystem.

Kids Clean Up and Make Art at Ocean Beach

May 20, 2011 •  by

How do you get 500-plus kids to sit still on the beach? Tell them a helicopter is about to fly overhead and take their collective photograph, and that by the way, they’ll also be on television. It happened at Ocean Beach, and all in the name of ocean conservation.

Tracking an Extreme Mammal: Elephant Seals

March 14, 2011 •  by

They can plunge to depths of more than a mile and stay submerged for 90 minutes without coming up for air. They can swim up to 14,000 miles a year. The males can weigh over two and a half tons. You could say elephant seals are “Extreme Mammals,” record-holders in several categories, including deepest divers. And with new tracking methods, we’re learning more than ever about these amazing creatures.

Toothy Charisma and More at SF Ocean Film Festival

March 4, 2011 •  by

A film festival about the ocean doesn’t have to look far for charisma: certain toothy creatures and wave-riding daredevils will easily draw audiences. But the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, now in its eighth year, aspires to do more than just fill seats. Be inspired and learn what you can do to help — March 9-13.

Sea Otters Face Dual Threat of Sharks and Algae

October 11, 2010 •  by

It’s safe to say that most Californians harbor a soft spot for sea otters. So two bleak reports this past month concerning the fate of the southern sea otter were met with much dismay. One group of scientists documented a fresh-water toxin that’s killing otters downstream, while another found a marked increase in otters killed by sharks.

Book Review: Introduction to California’s Beaches and Coast

October 1, 2010 •  by

Chances are you’ve sat on the beach and pondered where the sand goes when the waves carry it off, or maybe what the California coast looked like a million years ago, or why it’s so darned foggy. Find the answers to these questions and more in the latest addition to the California Natural History Guides series.