A dead body on the beach surely warrants an investigation. Teachers from around the country inspect a California sea lion carcass on Moss Landing State Beach as part of the National Marine Educators Association conference. MLML students from the Teacher Enhancement Program talked to the teachers about MLML’s participation with beach COMBERS, or Coastal Ocean Mammal and Bird Education and Research Surveys, run by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Program volunteers collect data on how often birds and mammals strand on the beaches around Monterey Bay. Though the researchers try to determine cause of death when they can, this particular whodunit will likely remain unsolved. Read a testimonial from a beach COMBERS volunteer here.
Humpback and Shearwaters, Unimak Pass. Photo: NMML
The magnificent power, the grace, the vigor of truly giant life. BUT, where do whales go when they die??
And, what about all those seals, sea lions, dolphins … heck, walruses, even?!
A Walrus carcass makes it into the 300m strip transect! Turns out even veteran at-sea researchers like USFWS Marty Reedy can still be surprised by new experiences. Photo: M. Reedy
What happens to them if they die at sea, as you might expect most of them would do? To explore this question, we might think to ask a marine scientist (naturally!). And, of course, there are scientists that are studying dead marine mammals (you aren’t surprised, are you?). In fact, Moss Landing’s very own Gillian Rhett is focusing her MSc research on dead whales! Turns out, studying the afterlife of marine mammals is every bit as intriguing as chasing them in the living flesh. Scientists are still learning about what happens to these animals after they die, and it’s a remarkable story.
Scientists and crew (Nate Jones, among them) encounter a dead Sperm Whale, seen from flying bridge of USFWS R/V Tiglax. Photo: N. Jones
Nate Jones first saw this whale at about 2 km distance; a mysterious, looming chunk of something, floating low in the water, unmistakably immobile in the snotty tumult that is a typical Bering Sea day. Whatever this thing was, it was large. And probably of animal origin; there were about half a dozen gulls swarming the area, looking for a free meal. Sure enough, a Sperm Whale carcass.
You can see how tall tales are born on the high seas! Some of them are true…
The entrance to Moss Landing Marine Labs provides a warm welcome with its stunning ocean view. It’s also a great reminder of our community creativity: the intertidal invertebrates adorning the pillars were all constructed by MLML staff, students and faculty.
Cast a look back from whence you came – Moss Landing is an easy port to spot from the water because of its landmark smoke stacks. Though residents may find them picturesque only at sunset, the stacks make navigation handy for the ocean wayfarer.
Graduate student Scott Gabara caught this fantastic photo while out in the field with PISCO. This humpback was putting on a great display for the eyes with its enthusiastic breaching. MLML student Casey Clark is currently conducting research on humpback whales – check out his student profile to learn more!
MLML Physical Oceanography student Alexis Howard observes a sediment grab performed by the crew of the R/V Point Sur. (photo: S. Gabara)
For the Physical Oceanography class at Moss Landing Marine Lab field research trips aboard the R/V Point Sur are a fun way to experience different field oceanographic equipment. Here student Alexis Howard looks on as the crew of the Point Sur retrieves a sample of sediment from the depths of Monterey Bay by means of a sediment grabber.
OK, so maybe you won’t find Sponge Bob at home here. But these sea pineapples, a type of tunicate or sea squirt, did come from several hundred feet under the sea (and are little muddier to show for it). This little crop was collected during a government trawl survey off of southern California. These squirts are definitely juicy, if not fruity!
Seafloor mapping-capable R/V VenTresca with MLML & CSUMB researchers
What does the seafloor look like? To help answer this question multibeam and sidescan sonar is used on the R/V VenTresca. A rare habitat called rhodolith beds, calcareous algae beds which look like tiny tumble weeds, are present around Catalina. Thanks to graduate student Paul Tompkins at Moss Landing Marine Labs the locations of the beds have been found by using SCUBA, Manta tows, and drop camera work. Using multibeam and sonar, the R/V VenTresca may have the ability to find these beds without having to dive in the water.
A rare rhodolith bed, found at only 6 bays/coves in Catalina. (photo: S. Gabara)
Imagine tubleweeds spread across the ocean floor. If you make them purple/pink and living, then you have a rhodolith bed. Rhodoliths are hard calcareous algae which have broken from the ground and formed a bed with other individuals. Many invertebrates and algae species associate with this habitat. Rhodoliths are a hot study subject in Europe, where they are used as a soil conditioner.
This white urchin recruit may use rhodoliths as a way to hide from predators. (photo: S. Gabara)
Many Market Squid gather at Fourth of July Cove, Catalina.
The California Market Squid lives from Alaska to Baja, Mexico. They only live for 4-9 months! Their brief life cycle has four stages: eggs, hatchlings, juveniles, and adults. These eggs laid by the females will take 3-5 weeks to hatch. These squid are not only important to the ocean ecosystem but for human consumption as well. Knowing more about them help keep tasty squid in our markets.
Squid dart past in a shoal at Avalon Bay, Catalina.
