Research

Three marine mammals that were hunted to the brink of extinction are studied at Piedras Blancas. Gray whale mothers and calves are counted from mid-March through May by biologists from Southwest Fisheries Science Center. http://swfsc.noaa.gov

The biannual range-wide California sea otter count is coordinated by a Uniteds States Geological Survey (USGS) wildlife biologist stationed at Piedras Blancas. USGS also maintains records of dead California sea otters and year round census data on the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery. http://www.werc.usgs.gov

Other types of ongoing reserach at Piedras Blancas include long term tide pool studies, upper atmospheric wind monitoring, and seismic studies.

Gray whale mother and calf

Sea otter