The
first pod of Gray Whales was spotted passing Monterey Bay on December
8th by marine biologist Nancy Black of Monterey Bay Whale Watch. This
marks the beginning of the spectacular annual migration of the Gray Whale.
Monterey Bay is the best place along the coast to observe these magnificent
mammals due to the deep submarine canyon that bisects the Bay. Gray Whales
migrate in shallow waters and since the canyon's deep water is close to
shore here, the whales concentrate in the nearshore area where they are
easily observed from shore and boats. The whales pass Monterey in pods
that average 2-5 individuals. The Gray Whales don't leave Alaska all at
once; generally pregnant females head south first, followed by males and
females, and juveniles last, which results in an extended southbound migration
off Monterey from mid-December through mid-February. Whales travel northbound
past Monterey again from mid-February through April, with mothers and
calves at the tail end of the northern migration.
Gray Whales spend the summer feeding in the Bering Sea on dense beds of
amphipods (small crustaceans). When the ice begins to cover their feeding
grounds they start heading south towards their calving and breeding lagoons
off Baja California. Their migration of 12,000 miles roundtrip is the
longest known migration for any mammal and takes them from 2-3 months
one way. Gray Whales, at 45' long and 40 tons, have made an incredible
recovery after becoming nearly extinct twice due to whaling. Their population
is now over 26,000 and they were the first whales ever to be taken off
the endangered species list.
In
Monterey Bay, a variety of other marine mammals are observed, including
six species of dolphins which frolic and feed in groups of over 1,000
individuals, two kinds of porpoise, humpback and blue whales in the summer
and fall, and Killer Whales, the top predator. Killer Whales are the only
predator of the Gray Whale and are occasionally seen in the migration
path of the Grays. Monterey Bay Whale Watch biologists Nancy Black and
Richard Ternullo have studied the Killer Whales for 15 years and have
documented their predation on Gray Whales, a rarely observed event which
happens several times each year over the Monterey canyon. The BBC Natural
History Unit worked with Nancy and Richard to film this event in Monterey
Bay for the first time and this film is a highlight of the Blue Planet
series to be shown on Discovery Channel this coming January.
Monterey
Bay Whale Watch offers daily boat excursions to see the Gray Whales and
other marine life. Trips run 3 hours and are led by marine biologists
and naturalists. Reservations and information: call 831-375-4658 or reserve
online. Learn more about the trips and
marine life, or view the latest daily
sightings.
|
|