Monterey Bay Whale Watch Map of Marine Mammal
Sightings in the Monterey Bay Region
August 1 - August 31, 1999
compiled by Richard Ternullo
Note: Gray Whales are not plotted on the chart. Numerous California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Southern Sea Otters are seen on all trips, and also are not plotted.
The Oceanic season has brought us a wide selection of cetaceans. Among the most notable are Cuvier's and Baird's beaked Whales.
The frequent sightings of Sperm Whale may be attributed to a single individual or the presence of several males; this is hard to determine. In any event, the sighting rate is far above any recorded in this observer's effort. There is a strong possibility that a resident male is responsible for the bulk of the sightings. However, recent reports from Cascadia Research indicate multiple sightings in Sur Canyon area, just south of our reporting region, adding to the speculation of more than one individual.
The sightings plotted above were compiled by Richard Ternullo for the period 8/1/99 to 8/31/99.
Sightings reported by Cheeseman Ecology Tours, S. Dutton, T. Jones, D. Frank, N. Lemon, B. Lucas, Monterey Bay Whale Watch, H. Neece, L. Oliver, R/V Ed Ricketts, R/V John H. Martin, R/V Pt. Sur, Shearwater Journeys, H. Tiura, J. Williamson.
