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In 2009, Stewards began a partnership with the Sonoma County Water Agency to monitor pinnipeds at or near the Russian River mouth in response to the need for a federal permit for incidental harassment of marine mammals during the activities associated with the requirements of the biological opinion.
The biological opinion (BO) is a 15-year recovery plan to implement the mandates of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as they relate to threatened and endangered fish in the Russian River and its tributaries. More information is availabe on the Sonoma County Water Agency website.
Trained citizen monitors are counting seals at numerous locations in and around the Jenner Estuary during breaching activities and during the outlet channel formation that is recommended in the BO. Monthly baseline data collection is also scheduled.
Anyone interested in being trained to be a citizen monitor is invited to contact Michele Luna at mluna@mcn.org.
The following are documents useful for citizen monitors:
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