The BeachCOMBERS are gathering data that can be averaged over
several years, and will serve to provide "normal," or
background, rates of mortality. Then, in the case of an oil
spill or other catastrophic event, differences in mortality will
help elucidate the amount of damage caused. Volunteers have been
trained in animal identification and record-keeping skills, to
ensure the most accurate data possible. For each animal found,
volunteers note the location, species, age, sex, presence of oil
on or near the carcass, probable cause of death, and degree of
decomposition. "It's an excellent way for volunteers to
participate with the Sanctuary," says Scott Benson, Volunteer
Coordinator and Data Manager of BeachCOMBERS. "The Sanctuary can
only be as good as local people make it; this gives them a
chance to be involved directly with the science of surveying
their marine environment." The BeachCOMBERS program has already
provided useful information for several recent incidents. "It's
been amazing to me that in our fi