Monday, August 3, 2026
During our morning trip aboard Sanctuary, light fog and calm seas set a quiet backdrop for a prominent multi-species feeding event near Moss Landing. We encountered eight humpback whales working in tight association with an estimated 200 to 300 California sea lions to corral bait beneath the surface.
This cooperative feeding dynamic is typical in Monterey Bay when prey is concentrated in the upper water column. Humpbacks utilize physical movement and deep dives to drive school fish together, while sea lions dive around the perimeter, preventing the shoal from dispersing. Moving through the nearby waters, we also noted ten Risso's dolphins alongside a pod of long-beaked common dolphins navigating the quiet swell.
Overcast skies and calm water often produce ideal conditions for tracking blow plumes across the surface long before seeing the animals themselves. It was a grounded look at the rich productivity that defines the Moss Landing canyon edge.