OUR WORK
Through active collaboration with partners in the maritime and marine sciences communities, BayQuest creates mission-specific projects and programs to study San Francisco Bay wildlife ecology while offering valuable data to help affect a sustainable future.
Whale Monitoring and Protection
The San Francisco Bay and near coast welcomes several species throughout the year including Gray, Blue, Fin, Minke and Humpback whales.
Through active on-the-water field missions, BayQuest gathers vital acoustic and visual observation data including species identification, count and behavioral patterns. All data is documented and accessible to the public, researchers and citizen scientists for review.
Whale/Mammal Entanglement Response
BayQuest has initiated the process of becoming a member of NOAA Fisheries’ Stranding and Entanglement Response Networks and will offer logistical support as needed for qualified organizations and trained first responders.
Monitoring Marine Life Populations
On-the-water vigils also include observations of other marine wildlife who make the waters of the San Francisco Bay home. Sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins 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.
Monitoring Migratory Bird Populations
Bird activity is another key indicator of a healthy San Francisco Bay. The annual spawning activity of smelt and anchovy attracts both residential and migratory birds to the San Francisco Bay as a vital stopover along the Great Pacific Flyway. When the food source decreases, so too do the bird populations.
During peak migration periods, BayQuest helps to monitor and document bird activity including species type, approximate count, date, location and time. Data is made available through public access reports to stakeholders and citizen scientists.
Water Sampling and Testing
BayQuest will offer vessel support for water testing agencies tasked with sampling San Francisco Bay water quality for the presence of carbon dioxide, mercury and other industrial contaminants. On site testing of water temperature and salinity will also be conducted.