OUR WORK
Whale Monitoring and Protection
BayQuest will deploy a specially-equipped patrol vessel to count, identify, photograph and monitor whale movements in this region. Further, the vessel will serve as a protector/chaperone staying at a safe distance from whales and broadcasting their position to passing vessels and USCG Vessel Traffic Service. The BayQuest vessel and crew will strive to maintain safe, continuous vigil until the whale has, at minimum, cleared the High Traffic Shipping/Ferry lanes. During each whale encounter, the crew will display flashing lights and the universally-recognized WhaleWise Caution Flag to further signify to other vessels that a whale is in the vicinity.
During the fishing season, the BayQuest vessel will continue its chaperoning in the fishing grounds offshore creating a stay-away vigil to prevent fishing enthusiasts from approaching passing/feeding whales from fishing lines, equipment and crab pots. Vessel will also make on-the-water contact with fishing vessels to promote awareness of WhaleWise guidelines.
Whale search and monitoring will be augmented by the use of a specially-equipped salt water-proof sea drone which will be operated safely by an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot. Footage of whale activity will be shared via open source networks.
On-the-water vigils will include, but not be limited to South Bay, Central Bay, San Pablo Bay, Berkeley Flats (East of Raccoon Strait) and San Francisco Strait (Including the Golden Gate Bridge). Offshore monitoring will include waters between Pt. Reyes, Half Moon Bay and the Farallon Islands with emphasis along main shipping channels during peak migration season. Observations and data collection points include headcount, species type, observed behaviors, mapping and photographs.
Whale/Mammal Entanglement Response
BayQuest has initiated the process of becoming a member of NOAA Fisheries’ Stranding and Entanglement Response Networks which provides training, funding and equipment to qualified organizations to aid in whale/mammal entanglement and emergency rescue operations.
Monitoring Marine Life Populations
On-the-water vigils will also entail monitoring and documenting observations of other marine wildlife who make the waters of the San Francisco Bay home. Sea lions, harbor seals and harbor porpoise populations and behaviors are key indicators of the conditions and health of the bay. The BayQuest vessel will make regular spot rounds in areas where these mammals tend to congregate. Targeted observation points include Alameda Point, SW Yerba Buena Island, The Brothers Islands at Pt. San Pablo, Kirby Cove, South Angel Island, Diablo Point and Pt. Bonita Lighthouse Beach in the San Francisco Strait.
Observation actions and data collection will be undertaken during low tide cycles and include photographs, behaviors, evidence of injury or illness and headcount. Data will be shared and available in both quarterly reports and on the BayQuest organization website.
Monitoring Migratory Bird Populations
Bird activity is another key indicator of effects of climate change on San Francisco Bay. The annual spawning activity of smelt and anchovy attract both residential and migratory birds to the San Francisco Bay. When the food source decreases, so too do the bird populations.
During this peak period between November and February, the BayQuest vessel will strive to monitor and document bird activity in areas known to attract spawning fish. These areas include, but are not limited to Richardson Bay (Sausalito), Alameda Rock Wall, Oyster Point South San Francisco to the Bay Bridge (Western shore of the south bay area), Ferry Point (Richmond).
Most common birds attracted to this activity are Pacific Brown Pelicans, Surf Scoters, Scaup, Buffleheads, Grebes, Loons and Cormorants. Among the data that will be collected are species type, approximate count, date, location and time.
Water Sampling and Testing
The BayQuest vessel aims to pull monthly water samples from five (5) data point collection sites throughout the San Francisco Bay for testing by an independent laboratory for the
presence of carbon dioxide, mercury and other industrial contaminants. On site testing of water temperature and salinity will also be conducted. Graphical results will be posted displaying pertinent level trends.
BayQuest will collaborate and support the efforts of organizations such as the San Francisco Estuary Institute’s Bay Monitoring Program (BPM), Army Corps of Engineers and others by offering its vessel to test water and sediment in low lying shoreline areas where shallow waters make it impervious for traditional research vessels. These areas include, but are not limited to south bay, San Pablo Bay and the Emeryville shallows.
In addition, BayQuest can also assist in gathering samples and sharing data following storms to assess urban runoff in critical watershed areas.