President's Message for 2008

Happy new year!

Happy New Year! I am excited to begin a new year with the San Diego Oceans Foundation as the 2008 President. It would be a daunting task, except that Courtney and Noelle do an incredible job of coordinating nearly everything,, Vice President Randy Dick always volunteers to do many of the extra tasks, Treasurer Erin Pattersen makes sure that we are on track financially, and our competent Board Members give us continued guidance and expertise.

SDOF derives its strength and abilities through the dedicated efforts of our members and volunteers. One of our goals for 2008 is to double our paid membership. As you may know, the administrative costs of the SDOF are largely provided through grants and corporate donations, so the tremendous majority of your membership dues go directly to the costs of our programs. If you are presently not a member, will you consider joining us to help our programs grow? If you enjoy the knowledge that you are actively contributing to the stewardship of our ocean by your activities with the White Seabass Program, Canyon Watch, Ocean in Motion, Ships 2 Reefs, or Storm Drain Stenciling and you have a like-minded friend, will you encourage them join us as a member and a volunteer?

Several Board of Director seats will open this year. We are actively seeking individuals with expertise in the areas of environmentally friendly and aware business and industry, conservation minded recreational anglers, and an individual with a proven track record in the area of public relations. If this sounds like you, or you know someone who fits this description and feels a desire to do improve the health of our ocean, please contact the SDOF office.

I'm looking forward to working with all of you as we strive to be stewards to the ocean and leave it better in January 2009 than we found it in January of 2008. Thanks to each one of you for helping!

Harold Dorr

Sea Series

Continuing Education for Ocean Lovers

Each month SDOF hosts a FREE continuing education event called "Sea Series" for volunteers, members and anyone interested in learning about the marine environment.

Will Vaquita, the Gulf of California porpoise, soon become extinct?
Dr. Barbara Taylor, NOAA Protected Resources Division
Wed, Oct 24th | 6:45 - 8:00 pm | Ocean Enterprises, 7710 Balboa Ave 92111
RSVP to volunteer@sdoceans.org

In November, 2006 a comprehensive survey for the baiji, the Chinese river dolphin, failed to find even a single individual. This likely loss of a 20-million year-old species is the first extinction of a whale or dolphin caused by humans. Dr. Barbara Taylor participated in that survey and will tell about that fateful survey and the many parallels to what now becomes the most critically endangered marine mammal, the vaquita or Gulf of California porpoise. This species lives close to San Diego and faces extinction because of entanglement in fishing nets that are used to supply fish and shrimp to the US. You won't want to miss this informative presentation!

Program + Event Updates

California Coastal Clean-up Day - THE RESULTS

On Saturday, September 15th, 33 SDOF volunteer scuba divers suited up and removed trash from a small area of San Diego Bay in celebration of California Coastal Clean-up Day. Thank you to the Port of San Diego for sponsoring this event!

In less than 2 hours, 403 pounds of trash were brought up from the depths of the bay including:
               165 beverage containers
               32 plastic bags
               27 food containers
               7 misc boat parts
               4 items of clothing
               4 tires
               2 street signs
               BB gun
               Eyeglasses
               Sunshower
               Pirate hat
               Champagne glass

Volunteer Opportunities

For more details and descriptions of all these events, visit our NEW volunteer calendar: October Calendar

White Seabass Orientations
Wednesday, October 17th | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, October 31st | 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Want to be outside on San Diego Bay and help restock the ocean at the same time? Then volunteer for the White Seabass Restocking Project... it's fun, and flexible according to your schedule. Learn more about the project on our website, then sign up for a one hour orientation to get you started!

To RSVP for any of these activities, please email us volunteer@sdoceans.org