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Soupfin Sharks at La Jolla Cove
The popular dive spot La Jolla Cove has been invaded by Soupfin Sharks. These sharks are harmless, but can be rather frightening to the untrained eye. Although their color is more a grayish-blue and their tail is shaped different, they are sometimes mistaken as blue sharks which rarely cruise near shore. During the warm summer months Soupfins will school in kelp forests near shore, probably in some sort of spawning congregation, in numbers ranging from a half a dozen to over 100. They range in size from 4 to 6 feet and move at a moderate pace in and out of the kelp, generally ignoring divers and swimmers. Sightings of large groups have become increasingly common, especially at Catalina Island. This is the first such report in some time from La Jolla.
Soupfin Sharks gained their name from when, early in the 20th century, they were caught, fins removed and dried and then sent to the Far East for soup. But the real devastation to the soupfin population was during WWII when the sharks were sought for the high vitamin A content of their livers. Soupfins are not endangered but their numbers are much smaller than what they use to be. Swimming with them is still an unusual treat.
Pelagic Shark Research Foundation Fined
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has fined the Santa Cruz-based Pelagic Shark Research Foundation $21,000. NOAA charged the group with violating its permit to lure white sharks. The fine stems from October 2001, when the research group hosted the production of a program called “Air Jaws II,” which later was broadcast on the Discovery Channel. Attracting any white shark in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary waters is prohibited without a permit. The group was permitted to attract sharks for research, but not for commercial film making.
Thornback Rays in Monterey
Throughout June there were numerous reports of thornback rays in the shallow waters off Monterey, particularly at Lover’s Cove. The rays seemed oblivious to divers as they engaged in courtship rituals. Thornback Rays are common in California, south of Tomales Bay, but are rarely seen in any numbers.
Rough Spring Gives Way to Calm Summer on North Coast
Spring may have gone out like a lion, but early summer weather in Northern California was certainly like a lamb. While wind and big sea kept divers from the water in late spring, June conditions were spectacular with clear water and flat seas. These stellar conditions allowed the northern waters to give up a fair catch of abalone before the season took a rest on July 1st. Abalone season reopens Aug. 1 on the coast north of San Francisco.