Reef Check California June 2009 Update

By Reef Check California Director of Science Cyndi Dawson

Summer has begun to roll along and Reef Check California (RCCA) divers have been beating the heat by starting to crank out the surveys. As of the end of June RCCA has completed 18 surveys!! RCCA also took part in some great education and outreach events like the Long Beach Scuba Show (photos here) letting divers and others know about how RCCA is improving marine mangement in California.

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process has arrived in southern California and public workshops began this month.  You can find more details on the MLPA meetings in Southern California at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/meetings_sc.asp#upcoming. RCCA is providing the MLPA Science Advisory Team and Stakeholder Group with data that will better inform their decisions about the placement of MPAs in the southern California Bight.

We have also added a few new items to the Reef Check SeaStore. The store features everything you need to gear up for the survey season including slates, transect lines, and the Aqua Pencil. Brush up on your California organism identification with a set of Reef Check California Indicator Organism Flashcards!

Check out the forum to get more details on RCCA Team Members in action: http://forum.reefcheck.org