Diver Dies in Abandoned Well
On September 17 a pair of divers descended into an abandoned well in Goss Canyon near La Crescenta. Only one returned alive. The two were brothers. One became trapped and, it appears, died breathing from a contaminated air pocket within the well.
The well was much like a cave with murky water. Cave diving is considered extremely dangerous and should only be attempted by specially trained divers. Cave diving is an activity not normally associated with California. Most cave diving done in the United States is conducted in Florida.
Year of the Jellyfish
Reports are coming in from around California this year of the increase in numbers and diversity of jellyfish. There are more than 200 species of jellyfish, and scientists don’t have solid answers to what is causing this bloom. It may be due to excess nutrients from fertilizers and waste that are flushed into the water, overfishing of the jellyfish’s predators, or may be due to a natural cycle. Either way, get out and enjoy the swarms of these photogenic creatures.
Harmful Monterey Algae Bloom Detected
Scientists from NOAA, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the University of California at Santa Cruz, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories have detected a harmful algae bloom around Monterey Bay. In 1998, a similar bloom was linked to the deaths of more than 50 California sea lions. Since June, The Marine Mammal Center has rescued over 100 California sea lions exhibiting seizure activity associated with the bloom. Divers who find stranded marine mammals in the Monterey Bay area should contact the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-7325 and for sea birds, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at (831) 373-2634.
Rogue Sea Otter is Killing Harbor Seal Pups
As many as twelve juvenile male harbor seals are thought to have been killed by an otter named Morgan. Morgan has been observed sexually abusing juvenile harbor seals and dragging their dead bodies around. This otter was previously rescued and rehabilitated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Commercial Gill-Net Ban Tightened in California
In an unprecedented move, state regulators have closed much of the California coast to commercial gillnet fishing to protect endangered seabirds and marine mammals. The decision was made by the California Department of Fish and Game after agency biologists determined that commercial halibut gill nets were inflicting substantial harm to common murres—a seabird—and the southern sea otter. “We determined that gill-netters fishing in shallow water were killing about 80 to 100 otters a year, so we made them move to beyond 30 fathoms (180 feet),” said David Bunn, a deputy director for Fish and Game.