• Earthwatch
    Sharks and Rays of Monterey
                     This summer I participated in an Earthwatch Expedition.  It was an amazing experience to work side-by-side with a research scientist in the field.  Earthwatch volunteers teamed up with the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation (PSRF) lead by Sean VanSomeran to collect data in Elkhorn Slough and off the coast of Santa Cruz, CA. 
              

       Earthwatch Volunteers 
    PSRF Staff and Earthwatch Volunteers
     
    Elkhorn Slough
             In Elkhorn Slough we captured, recorded characteristics, and tagged elemosbrach populations.  The main species studied were shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatis productus), thornyback rays (Platyrhinoidis triseriata), and leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata).  Also bat rays (Myliobatis californica) were recorded, but not tagged.  The purpose of this research is to investigate the affect of tides on the populations of elesmobrach in the slough.