Newly Discovered Sponge Named After Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

A newly discovered sponge, Megaciella sanctuarium, has been named in honor of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which protects an abundance of biodiversity, particularly among invertebrates, including sponge species. Scientists recently published the scientific description. The new species of sponge was discovered in the sanctuary in fall of 2021 during a research cruise aboard the sanctuary’s 22-foot small boat, the R/V Tegula. Tom Turner, Ph.D., a professor and sponge expert from U.C. Santa Barbara, dove with Steve Lonhart, Ph.D.,a research ecologist for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. “It is amazing to me that new species are still being discovered within normal diving depths,” said Lonhart, a co-author on the paper.

MORE INFORMATION

Humpback Whale Entanglement in Monterey Bay

On November 11, 2023 a humpback whale was sighted in Monterey Bay and the disentanglement team responded immediately. This is the fourth entangled humpback sighted in Monterey Bay in 2023. The whale was tightly wrapped around the head with what was identified later as CA Dungeness crab pot gear. Analysis by experts on the video and photos

stated that the gear was likely on the whale for at least three months or more. According to CDFW, based on the tags, the whale had picked up the gear in the Point Reyes region. The response team was able to reach the whale, although because of the head wrap, it was too challenging to effectively attach telemetry gear. The team was not able to track the whale after

it departed, and to date (Nov 17) it has not been re-sighted or rescued. NMFS has confirmed 25 entangled whales along the West Coast in 2023 (9 gray, 14 humpback and 2 Orca) and 16 of the 25 were entangled in California. Four entangled humpback whales were sighted in Monterey Bay, three of which were entangled in “unknown” gear meaning experts were

not able to confirm to which fishery the gear belongs. Based on the 3-year rolling average

impact score (3.39 excluding the 11/11 entanglement) from the number of entanglements

in CA and the high concentrations of whales present, CDFW continues to delay the season

opener for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery for all fishing zones. Whale entanglements are identified by the West Coast Region as part of the Whale Conservation priority as entanglements represent one of the major threats to large whales, including endangered humpback and blue whales

Text Link

Hello Divemasters and Instructors

We are looking for a few good Dive Professionals to join the Beachhopper Team. Enjoy being part of a fun, devoted, and love to dive team. We operate our charters 3 to 5 days a week. Diving Monterey Bay, and Carmel Bay. Meet the frequent divers of Monterey Bay, enjoy dive site discovery dives, join in on charters to gain experience and knowledge of the local dive sites, as an active deck hand, log those important Sea Days to work towards your USCG operators license. Competitive compensation, flexible schedules, and an opportunity to gain great experience on 5.0 rated dive charter. Call Capt MaryJo at 408-234-8445 or email her at Captmaryjo@gmail.com