Monterey Bay is not just home to the world's finest aquarium, it's also home and summer residence to a whole host of amazing wildlife.
On Saturday, I was treated to one of those "once in a lifetime days" when our whale watch boat took us through the fog and out onto the other side, to edge of the submarine canyon and a land that time forgot.
Dall's porpoise, Risso's dolphins, black-footed albatross, an estimated 50-60 humpback whales, 10-15 blue whales, and perhaps most amazing of all the world's largest sea turtle, the Pacific leatherback.
Blue whales are still listed as endangered species, having never fully recovered from industrial whaling. The population off California is considered to be one of the healthiest and largest in the world; estimated around 2,000 animals. Though seeing one is still a special treat; to see several in one day is just plain greedy!
The Bay is teeming with krill right now - the only food item on the menu of this ocean-going behemoth and the largest animal to ever roam our planet. Humpbacks, who can also eat fish, seemed to also be enjoying snacking on a ton or two of krill, and watching the giant mammals lunge feed is just a spectacular sight!
The Bay is also blooming with jellies - especially sea nettles. These visitor favorites at the aquarium also attract a different kind of visitor. Pacific leatherbacks travel from the shores of Indonesia just to snack on jellies in Monterey Bay; a round trip of over 10,000 miles.
Pacific leatherbacks are truly an endangered species. To see one is perhaps, sadly, a once in a lifetime experience. Longline fishing, in addition to pressures on nesting beaches have pushed this ancient reptile to the brink of extinction. Only time will tell if we have done enough to save them.
Truth


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