Monterey Bay Whale Watch Map of Marine Mammal
Sightings in the Monterey Bay Region
December 1 - December 31, 1999
compiled by Richard Ternullo
Note: Gray Whales are not plotted on the chart. Numerous California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Southern Sea Otters are seen on all trips, and also are not plotted.
Gray Whales are the large cetacean most often seen during this period. They are easily seen from shore and boat trips. The peak of the southerly migration will be about the middle of January. By the time the January sightings map is available, the first northbounders will be seen.
Killer Whales have made an early showing, perhaps connected with the unusual strong pulse of juvenile/sub-adult Grays preceding the main migration. It will be interesting if there is the normal pulse of sub-adults that trail the southbound peak about the end of January.
Despite low sea surface temperatures, Long-beaked Common Dolphins have become the most frequently seen small cetacean on the Bay.
The sightings plotted above were compiled by Richard Ternullo for the period 12/1/99 to 12/31/99.
Sightings reported by D. Davi, D. Frank, Monterey Bay Whale Watch, S. Munro, H. Neece, L. Oliver, Shearwater Journeys, J. Wettle, J. Williamson, W. Williamson.
