Humpback whales fill Monterey Bay, offering perfect whale-watching conditions
Monterey Bay is seeing an increase in humpback whales, driven by plentiful anchovies and favorable weather conditions, according to experts.
Humpback whales are gathering in Monterey Bay in large numbers, creating an ideal opportunity for whale watching, according to local experts.
Nancy Black, owner of Monterey Bay Whale Watch, said the surge in humpback whales is due to an abundance of anchovies in the area.
“That’s because there’s lot anchovies, all these tons and tons of fish that have moved in so besides the Humpbacks there’s more than 50 to 100 humpbacks in the bay and also several thousand dolphins,” Black said.
Biologists explained that weather conditions have also played a significant role in the increase.
“We’ve had the summer season, the sun fuels the plankton and when you get towards the end of the season anchovies are feeding on the planktons, it’s been really good currents, so it’s a combination of the currents, the direction of the coast and the sunlight,” Black said.
Black noted that humpback whales have recovered significantly over the years, with over 5,000 now along the coast. She emphasized the importance of continued protection for the species.
“The original problem was hunting, that’s why they almost hunted them to extinction, even in Monterey Bay they killed many humpback whales before the 1970s,” Black said.
Despite their recovery, Black said humpback whales still face challenges such as noise pollution, ship strikes, and entanglement. She urged people to remain vigilant while out on the ocean.
“Keep your eye out for whales that are ahead of you so you don’t bump into them but always be looking because a whale can pop up anywhere,” Black said.