How does time fly by so fast? ..............   We spend our time doing rather than talking about what we are doing at Marine Life Studies so needless to say it has been a long time since the blog has been updated. I apologize right now that I will not be updating the blog today.  In the meantime check out our Facebook page.

Later I will post information and pictures about: The exciting time taking the children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County whale watching after providing free educational classes about the the marine life right in their own backyard in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We held Take It To The Streets™ at the Patagonia Outlet Store in Santa Cruz, at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, and most recently at Whalefest 2013. As a conservation partner with the BLUE Ocean Film Festival we provided free educational programs in September during BLUE, including a mock disentanglement program on how to disentangle a whale from marine debris and fishing gear. We had a W.E.T. (Whale Entanglement Team) exhibit at the biennial American Cetacean Society Conference in San Diego. Plus other events so stay tuned.

Entangled gray whale is heading up the coast of California. Last known sighting of this gray whale was on Tuesday, April 24 South of Gorda, California heading north close to shore. At that time the animal had 2 white poly balls and one red poly ball trailing that were attached in Southern California to help sight the animal.

Extensive efforts over the past few days have yielded no sighting of the entangled whale. This has increased concern that the whale may have expired. Going forward, searching will continue by various whale watching boats and a couple of marine mammal research projects working in the area including Marine Life Studies research project.

Our new Plastic Police Initiative Take It To The Streets™ project was a huge success! The children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, both Salinas and Seaside Units learned how land based litter affects their local watersheds and ultimately ends up in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Thank you for your support and kindness throughout the year from all of us at Marine Life Studies. Your encouragement, support and donations make a difference! We wish you a very wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

I would also like to extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers that are the driving force behind Marine Life Studies. Their hard work, unparalled dedication and passion are an inspiration to me.

“The Future is NOW! Career Extravaganza” at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, Friday March 25th was a huge success. Close to 300 freshmen from the Salinas and Seaside high schools attended the event held at the B&G Club in Salinas. I was invited to speak as a panelist for the event about Marine Life Studies and career opportunities in Marine Science. It was a wonderful opportunity to inspire young people to pursue a career in science. Jenna Contuchio, one of our volunteers, accompanied me to the event to assist at our interactive booth during the Community Resource Fair. One of the panelists did not make it to the event so Jenna offered to fill in, as she is a Veterinarian Technician. Jenna did a fantastic job and really connected with the kids. We both had a lot of fun and enjoyed working with the students.

Last week for to stretch your donation – 15% match through Friday, February 25th. Marine Life Studies receives 115% of all funds raised. Click here to donate today! Thank you.

Wow… Whale Tales was incredible. The Ritz-Carlton had to keep adding chairs throughout the morning to accommodate everyone that came to Whale Tales.

It truly was a wonderful camaraderie of the research organizations and the community. That is what made Whale Tales such a successful and incredible event.

Whale Tales is February 12, 2011 at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Maui. Hope to see you there.

Still time to stretch your donation with Birdies for Charity. Now through February 25, 2011 they match 15% so Marine Life Studies receives 115% of all funds raised! Your tax deductible donation is vital with 98% of your donation applied to Marine Life Studies research, education and conservation projects. Click here to donate today.

We are starting 2011 out with a bang. How do you like the new website? I love it. Marine Life Studies Marketing/Development Consultant has worked with Ruth Simmons from Silverleaf Design in the development of the site. We are so excited to launch it for the start of 2011. Please click on Contact Us at top of page and let me know how you like it.

NOW through February 23, 2011 - Birdies For Charity is in full swing so be sure to get your pledge in. They match 15% so Marine Life Studies receives 115% of all funds raised! Plus it is tax deductible.

Aloha! We have been really busy at Marine Life Studies and we have lots of exciting programs and news coming up. But first, I want to thank you for all your support - whether you volunteer for an event, on the research boat, for a class, or donate to our mission - on behalf of the whales, dolphins, turtles and all the marine wildlife, I thank you!