Image: a surface bait ball of northern anchovies is shown under attack by a lunge-feeding humpback whale.
2024 09-05 SB Channel West
Skies were sunny and bright all day. Captain Dave and the crew ran west and ended up 5 miles south of Platform Holly. There was a “bubble” of semi-calm wind and seas at this location, while the surrounding waters were very windy and bumpy. Sightings for the day: 5000+ common dolphins, 6 humpback whales (we closely watched 5), and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
As has been the case lately, we found common dolphins in small feeding pods just outside The Harbor. Small, spread-out pods were abundant all the way up to Holly, where the megapods of dolphins were attracted by the abundance of northern anchovy schools on the surface. A large mega pod located us at high speed on the way home.
We were just 5 miles south of Goleta when we intercepted and watched the first of 6 humpbacks. All the whales today were adults. Schools of anchovies were seen from the boat throughout this hot spot. The first whale was the only surface feeding individual today. It was “trap-feeding,” a rather unique method of capturing bait fish. The whale opened its cavernous mouth, rolled on its side, then, in a dramatic, fast swoop, circled its tail flukes around and “swept” part of the anchovy school into its mouth. We’ve only seen this behavior a few times before by a whale named Dos Equis, and we did not confirm or deny that today’s beast was XX.
It is with some sadness that I must report yet another large ocean sunfish (Mola mola) found alive and swimming with a large propeller scar. Unlike the fish reported last week with a head injury, this one had its tall dorsal fin shredded.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
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