Volunteer Marine Mammal Monitors Needed!
The Seattle Aquarium is embarking on a renovation of our Harbor Seal exhibit and adjoining wooden pier. To protect local marine mammals during construction and to contribute to an understanding of the marine mammals found in Elliot Bay, we are planning to deploy volunteer “Marine Mammal Monitors” to five sites around Elliot Bay and on Bainbridge Island from mid-October through early December.
Utilizing equipment provided by the Aquarium, Marine Mammal Monitors will scan the Sound for the presence of marine mammals, record their findings, and immediately report sightings of mammals protected by the Endangered Species Act to the Aquarium.
Volunteer shifts will be available from 8am to noon and noon to 4pm, Monday through Friday. We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of one regular shift per week for the duration of the project.
Sites to be stationed are:
- Seattle Aquarium:
1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59
Seattle, WA 98101
- Alki Beach Park:
1702 Alki Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98116
- Discovery Park:
3801 Discovery Park Blvd
Seattle, WA 98199
- Rockaway Beach Park:
4002 Rockaway Dr. NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
- Toe Jam Hill Rd NE & NE South Beach Dr.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
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Potential volunteer Marine Mammal Monitors must be at least 18 years old; individuals under 18 are permitted to volunteer with a parent or guardian. Some sites require volunteers to be able to walk over uneven surfaces that are not wheelchair accessible. Volunteers must have good vision (with correction is ok) and be able to use binoculars or a spotting scope. Volunteers must also be able to record data and communicate orally in English. Volunteers will be required to submit to a Washington State Patrol background check and attend a training session.
Marine Mammal Monitors will receive training on how to identify local marine mammals, including those on the Endangered Species List, by a NOAA scientist. In addition, Aquarium staff will provide training on scheduling, each site’s logistics, data logging, and how to report sightings. Training will take place Tuesday, November 6 from 5pm to 8pm.
To RSVP for training to become a Marine Mammal Monitor or for more information, please contact Dave Glenn at d.glenn@seattleaquarium.org. Please indicate which site you are interested in and which training you plan to attend.
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