Anchovies draw humpback whales closer to shore in Monterey Bay
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KTVU) – There have been more humpback whale sightings in the Monterey Bay recently.
However, according to Dan Albro, senior Guest Experience Trainer at the Aquarium, it’s unclear if there are actually more humpbacks in the Monterey Bay.
Albro says the humpback whale's main prey, northern anchovies, have been closer to shore. This has led to more whale sightings recently.
He took photos of the whales just yards from several paddle boarders. The photos were taken August 1st just off of Lover's Point in Pacific Grove.
Albro points out NOAA's regulations call for a 100 foot minimum distance from whales. But, the man in the photo he captured had not moved for 20 minutes, when the whale suddenly popped up.
Albro noted that all of the kayaks, boats and paddle boarders he saw, were respectful around the whales.
Learn more about humpback whales from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Photo courtesy of Dan Albro.