July 12, 2007
Monterey Harbor, CA: Volunteers Needed for Undaria Removal
UPDATE: THE NEXT REMOVAL DATE IS AUG. 18, 2007.This is an urgent call for volunteers to help eradicate invasive Undaria in Monterey Harbor. Email or call Rita Bunzel (831-647-4245) to help either dockside or on scuba. Rita will provide a parkign pass. From Rita:
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Hello Everyone,
Over the last 2 months we've seen a huge increase in recruitment and growth rates of Undaria in the Monterey Harbor. Althought this is a typically a high growth period, it is a critical time of the year to conduct removals before the reproductive plants have a chance to re-populate the harbor. WE DESPARATELY NEED YOUR HELP! WE NEED VOLUNTEER SCUBA DIVERS and DOCKSIDE WORKERS.
Please consider taking a few hours on Saturday, July 21, 2007 from 9:00 am to approximately 12:00 pm to support your community and the efforts to control Undaria from spreading. Please RSVP if you can make it.
As usually, we will gather at 9:00 am sharp in front of the Monterey Harbormasters office (see directions below). First time volunteers should complete the attached forms base on their volunteer position. Bring the completed form on Saturday. Copies will also be available on site. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent/ guardian signature on file to participate.
The following Word doc forms need to be filled out prior to meeting:
• Volunteer Questionnaire (dockside volunteers)
• SCUBA Medical History (SCUBA volunteers only)
• SCUBA Volunteer Questionnaire (SCUBA volunteers only)
AGENDA
9:00 - 9:30 am Volunteers assemble, safety protocol, program paperwork
9:30 - 10:00 am Introduction to Undaria survey methods, data collection protocol
10:00 - 12:00 pm Undaria surveys and removal
DIRECTIONS
From Del Monte Ave take the Figueroa Street entrance to Wharf #2. Turn left into the wharf parking area. The Monterey Harbormasters office is located on the right. It is a two-story brown building situated dockside between Fisherman's Wharf and Wharf #2.
PARKING
Park closest to the Monterey Harbormasters office in the metered parking spaces only (do not
park in permit parking). The program will distribute temporary parking passes for the day so DO NOT feed the meter with coins.
DATA COLLECTORS and SPECIMEN COLLECTORS (dockside work)
If you are working dockside, comfortable close-toed shoes are a must since you will be standing for several few hours. Do not wear nice clothing since you will be handling marine algae and will get dirty. It is advisable to wear sunscreen and a hat.
SCUBA DIVERS
Divers must provide their own personal dive equipment which includes: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BC, regulator, weight belt/weights. I can provide tanks for those of you that notified me in advance. If you have a small collecting bag, bring it. First time divers MUST bring their SCUBA certification card for Monterey Harbormaster clearance. We will need to have on file a copy (both front and back) of the certification cards. We can photocopy the C- cards at the Harbormaster's office if necessary. If you have not already completed the medical history form and questionnaire (both attached) please do so and bring the complete the forms with you on Saturday to save time. We will try to conduct (2) dives.
PLEASE RECONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION WITH A REPLY EMAIL. Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday! Thank you for your continued support and assistance with this program!
Rita Bunzel
Program Manager
Undaria Monitoring Program
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
rita.bunzel @ noaa.gov
831/647-4245
ritabunzel@yahoo.com
831/659-5722 office/fax
831/402-3866 cell
Posted by Dida at July 12, 2007 7:07 AM
Comments
The next Undaria monitoring event is scheduled for August 18, 2007. Please come out and join our efforts to remove this invasive seaweed. Thanks for your support.
Posted by: Rita Bunzel at July 26, 2007 5:24 PM
