California Fish And Game Commission Field Trip Tomorrow At Pepperdine University

The following is courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish and Game Commission:

Fish and Game Commission June 2022 Field Trip Details

California Fish and Game Commission June 2022 Field Trip Details

Who: Commissioners, staff, California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff, and members of the public

What: Field trip to learn about and observe the biology and management of California grunion

When: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 9:30 p.m. to midnight
Where: Pepperdine University, Malibu Campus, Plaza Classroom 188, 24255 Pacific Coast

Highway, Malibu, CA 90263

The Commission invites members of the public to join commissioners, staff, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff for a field trip Wednesday night. Members of the public are welcome to attend but must provide their own transportation.

Learn about the biology and management of California Grunion and, if we’re lucky, observe a “grunion run,” when the small fish congregate on wet sand to mate en masse. The evening will begin with informal presentations by the Grunion Greeters and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explaining explain the biology of California grunion and how this endemic species is managed. Following the presentations, the group will adjourn to a nearby beach to watch for a grunion run under a nearly full moon. Whether or not grunion appear, the event will end at midnight.

Meeting Location

The field trip will begin at the Malibu Campus of Pepperdine University (see location map on page 2). Please check in with the security guard as you enter the campus. Attendees should park in Central Campus Parking (Lot B), near the Smothers Theater where parking is free. Greeters will help direct attendees to Plaza Classroom 118 for the presentation. Restrooms will be available.

Following the presentation, between 10:45 and 11:00 p.m., attendees will gather at the Malibu “Surfrider” Beach to observe a grunion run. Parking is free on the street at the beach, but may be restricted after midnight. Beach parking lots and facilities will be closed.

Best Practices for Watching a Grunion Run

  • Grunion is protected by a closed season during the months of April through June; no fishing is allowed during this event.
  • Participants should dress warmly and wear shoes that might get wet—no bare feet.
  • Photography can be done by cameras or phones.
  • Flashlights will disturb the fish and are unnecessary due to the nearly full moon, but may be used sparingly on the upper beach to reach the wet sand. Night vision goggles or a monocular are least disturbing for viewing the fish.