Interested in ways to get involved with ocean science or conservation in your community? Ready to practice putting your new knowledge of the ocean and marine life into action?  Good for you!  There are so many ways you can get involved locally and worldwide!

Help us keep track of our local seal and sea lion populations by filling out this form, but first a quick game to check your count accuracy!
Can you identify and count all of the marine mammals in this photo?
Picture
Species ID: Pacific harbor seals Total Number: 88 If you counted less make sure you check on the rocks and in the water!
Now it's time to enter your own data!  Remember that marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal  Protection Act, so you shouldn't approach them and definitely shouldn't touch them, they are wild animals with sharp teeth!  Use this link for information on reporting sick or injured animals to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network

    Citizen Science Seal & Sea Lion Database Entry Form

    California Sea Lion

    Pacific Harbor Seal
    California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, have visible ear flaps, long necks and long flexible front and hind flippers that they use to move around on land, they are usually brown to dark brown in color and make loud barking sounds!
    Pacific harbor seals, Phoca vitulina, have no visible ear flaps, short necks, and flippers, which aren't large enough to be used to move around on land. They often have a mottled brown/grey/white color and rarely make sounds.

    Include the date, time of day, and total number of each species observed and number of any injured individuals with a short description of the injury (ex. fishing hook in jaw, line around body) and any additional comments/observations about what the animals are doing.  If you chose 'other' in any category above please explain as specifically as you can.
Other Ways to Get Involved

Calling all surfers!  Want to add your local knowledge to a growing database?  It's simple!  Just follow this link:
http://www.science4surfing.org./home

Help keep track of trends in healthy and not so healthy sea stars with Sea Star Wasting Disease through the Sea Star Observation Database with Pacific Rocky Intertidal Monitoring

Los Angeles resources: Interested in beach clean-ups?  Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation

San Diego resources: San Diego Coastkeeper, Surfrider Foundation

We are adding more all the time, so check back soon!
Enjoy!