Regarding Craig Matkin's 9 July MARMAM post, "oil spills and cetaceans" and an earlier post I made seeking information, it appears that there is still no effective link or contact to coordinate matching volunteers with need in the area of potential impact from the BP oil spill. If there is please post it to MARMAM or contact the Marine Mammal Commission, which is seeking the best resource. Texas Audubon provides an example of a constantly updated website resource to maximize meaningful volunteer assistance, albeit strictly for the birds. While shore, marine and aerial surveys, stranding responses and rehab efforts are obvious needs, there are also several projects, underway since before the spill, which need help to make a maximum effort to establish baseline data prior to the oil reaching their research area. Special skills will be needed for many tasks, but many others require only a personal commitment to help. As examples, locals might provide food and lodging for specialists, volunteered RVs might provide a base for workers, or private pilots may volunteer their time and aircraft for directed surveys. All have been effective in previous events, and engaging the public serves the needs of the marine mammal community. Bill Rossiter Cetacean Society International