Monterey Bay Whale Watch Map of Marine Mammal
Sightings in the Monterey Bay Region
September 26 - October 25, 1998
compiled by Richard Ternullo
Note: Numerous California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Southern Sea Otters are seen on all trips, and are not plotted on the chart.
Baleen whale activity has been exceptional with good numbers seen following periods of heavy northwest winds. These winds have prompted krill swarms to gather near canyon edges and attract Blue, Humpback, and especially Fin Whales. This fall has been possibly the best opportunity to see Fin Whales in Monterey Bay since I have been keeping records. Large baleen whales should begin migrating south by the second week of November and Gray Whales should become the most frequently sighted whale by mid-December.
Toothed whales have also been abundant, particularly Common Dolphin. A unique situation has developed with mixed schools of dolphin including Common Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, and Northern Right Whale Dolphin. This situation has never before been recorded by this observer. As far as I know, Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common Dolphin are not known to mix to any great extent, let alone with other dolphin at the same time. This could be an artifact of space since on some days up to 4-7000 dolphin are seen within a radius of 10-20 nm.
The sightings plotted above were compiled by Richard Ternullo for the period 9/26/98 to 10/25/98.
Sightings reported by C. Davis, C. Hartell, N. Lemon, B. Lucas, L. Oliver, R. Ortiz, Oceanic Society Expeditions, Monterey Bay Pelagics, Monterey Bay Whale Watch, S. Munro, H. Neece, Shearwater Journeys, J. Williamson, W. Williamson.