JelliesZone Sightings  (2000)  

Look here for year 2000 reports of gelatinous fauna seen in nearshore surface waters of the Monterey Peninsula, in central California about 120 miles south of San Francisco.  Jellies are notorious transients.  One day the bay may be inundated with hordes of gelatinous creatures.   Come back to the same spot the next day or even a few hours later, and you may find a complete absence of any gelatinous life form.    The JelliesZone sightings here focus on jellies in Monterey Bay, Carmel Bay, Point Lobos and off the Big Sur coast.  To learn more about Monterey Bay and some of its non-gelatinous creatures, particularly whales and dolphins, click here (link from the Monterey Bay Whale Watch).  

December 2000:  Surface waters around Monterey's Mile Buoy and other locations outside the winter storm diminished kelp beds of Monterey and Pacific Grove held decent numbers of moon jellies (Aurelia labiata) and sea nettles (Chrysaora) on the first day of the month.  A closer look revealed the presence of gelatinous gastropods known as sea butterflies (Corolla), a fairly common visitor to Monterey Bay.  You didn't need to go very far on December 2 to find jellies.  On December 2, Monterey Harbor and Wharf II hosted a splendid bloom of bell jellies (Polyorchis penicillatus and P. haplus).  Within a few short minutes of walking on the docks, it was possible to see several hundred bell jellies gently bobbing near the surface.  They ranged in size from bell diameters of 1 cm to 4 cm.  In some spots they were clumped as dense as 2 or 3 dozen within a square meter.  

     December 4 was the day to be at Whaler's Cove (Point Lobos) if you have a thing for cross jellies (Mitrocoma).  An amazing swarm thickened waters in the outer portions of the cove.  Most were concentrated in the open channels between rows of giant kelp, from the surface to about 6 meters.  They hung lazily in the calm, clear water, in some locations as dense as 1 about every 25 cm.  Although cross jellies are transparent and relatively inconspicuous, the hundreds visible at any time while illuminated by rays of sunlight made for a spectacular dive.  With a careful look among the thousands in the area, you could find a few individuals that hosted parasitic anemones.  Cross jellies were notably abundant in the area surrounding Monterey's Breakwater, and in the waters off Monterey and Pacific Grove on December 5.  You also would have noted the presence of pteropods known as sea butterflies (Corolla).  Beach-goers around Monterey have lately been finding numerous pseudoconchs, the rubbery slipper-like internal structure that is easily shed when the animal is treated roughly.  Cross jellies continued their invasion of Point Lobos on December 6, with a dense surface swarm in the vicinity of a pinnacle outside of Bluefish Cove.  On the other side of the Monterey Peninsula, bell jellies were conspicuous in surface waters of Monterey Harbor and Breakwater Cove.  Cross jellies have been sighted in many locations throughout the month, and on December 20 they continued their dominance with a number of dense aggregations in the vicinity of the Point Pinos buoy.  

November 2000:  Cross jellies (Mitrocoma) started off the month in abundance on November 3.  Large numbers of this common California hydromedusa swarmed in nearshore surface waters off Monterey and Pacific Grove.  The waters off Pacific Grove on November 10 hosted a large aggregation of moon jellies (Aurelia).  On November 13, cross jellies ruled surface waters in Bluefish and Whaler's Coves at Point Lobos.  In addition, a flotilla formed by hundreds of cross jelly bodies floated at the surface in the mouth of Whaler's Cove, their demise a mystery.  Cross jellies were notably abundant in the vicinity of the Pinnacles in Carmel Bay on November 15, as well as other locations in Carmel Bay and near Cypress Point.  Also in the Pinnacles area, surface aggregations of Solmaris could be found in scattered locations.  These tiny, transparent narcomedusa can be very difficult to see.  In certain spots, it was possible to see 50 or more packed within a square meter area.  An amazing aggregation of sea butterflies (Corolla) drifted gently about a mile off Point Joe.  Although the area covered was not large, within the swarm, densities of at least 10 per cubic meter could be viewed easily from a boat.  Moon jellies were scattered over a wide area, concentrated in waters off Monterey to the west of the Breakwater.  

     Bell jellies, both Polyorchis penicillatus and P. haplus, were out in full force in Monterey's Harbor on November 18.  Within a few minutes of walking along one of the docks, it was possible to see several dozen bobbing gently near the surface.  Most had bell diameters in the 1 to 2 cm range.  Despite their obvious presence, most people going about their boating activities probably were oblivious to the gelatinous spectacle.  

October 2000:  During Fall months in Monterey Bay, warm oceanic water often sweeps in close to shore, bringing a slew of typically offshore creatures.  This occurred in full force on October 4, when a large swath of oceanic water lingered off Pacific Grove.  Heading north and west of Lover's Point, a number of surface slicks held amazing aggregations of salps.  The most numerous by far was Thalia democratica.  Most were concentrated in long, 1 to 2 meter wide bands spread out over a wide area, with the densest patches within glassy smooth slicks.  In some locations the salps were right at the surface, packed as tightly as possible, and forming what resembled oil slicks.  Most appeared in the aggregate phase, with chain lengths ranging up to at least 15 cm.  Some patches had at least several hundred aggregates per cubic meter.  The most obvious sign of their presence was the relatively conspicuous gut nucleus of each individual within the chain.  Lurking among these salps in far fewer numbers was Cyclosalpa affinis.  This species is quite a bit larger than Thalia and more conspicuous, with aggregates that form closed circles that are united into chains.  Some of the aggregate chains were up to 1/2 meter in length with 8 to 10 circlets forming the chain.  Smaller solitary individuals were fairly common, often with a developing stolon chain protruding from the body.  Within the steadily elongating stolon, circlets become progressively larger with increasing distance from the point of origination since they've had more time to feed and grow.  Although thaliaceans were the dominant gelatinous life forms, relatively high numbers of Beroe (both B. cucumis and B. forskalii) were also present.  October 6 was basically a repeat of this, with the addition of numerous moon jellies (Aurelia labiata) between Lover's Point and Point Pinos. 

    Salp aggregates (Thalia) continued their impressive run on October 8.  Countless number were trapped in the kelp beds of Pacific Grove, forming what looked like patches of icy slush at the surface.  Beyond the kelp bed, within a half mile of shore, a long surface slick held countless numbers of these salps.  Most floated helplessly at the surface, concentrated in long, thin bands.  Don't feel too sorry for them though.  With their ephemeral lifestyle they don't expect to live long, and undoubtedly served their reproductive function by sexually producing prodigious numbers of solitary salps to continue the next generation.  As befits the shifty nature of gelatinous forms, the salps had vanished from the area by the following day.  

     The siphonophore Praya was prevalent in Point Lobos waters on October 23.  Diving in Whaler's and Bluefish Cove, it was possible to see a dozen or more of the conspicuous yellow stems.  Lengths varied from less than a meter to stems in excess of 5 meters long.  Most were lacking the anterior swimming bell (nectophore).  Blue rockfish nibbled carefully on the stems, seemingly seeking a spicy meal (this siphonophore has a very nasty sting, at least for people).  Other gelatinous fauna included cross jellies (Mitrocoma) and the rarely seen hydromedusa, Annatiara affinis.  October 24 was marked by a return engagement of sea nettles (Chrysaora fuscescens) to southern Monterey Bay.  Many hundreds were easily visible near the surface outside the kelp beds off Cannery Row in Monterey.  After several days of large swells, the final day of October brought calmer seas and an influx of salps (Cyclosalpa affinis) to the waters off Cannery Row in Monterey.  Sea nettles also reappeared in the vicinity of the Point Pinos buoy.  

September 2000:  You didn't need to go very far to see pelagic tunicates on September 2.  On the ocean side of Monterey's Wharf II, a swarm of salps (probably Salpa fusiformis) was easily visible while standing on the wharf.  Despite their abundance at the surface, most people conducting their activities on the wharf probably had no idea what was going on below.  Most of the salps consisted of aggregate chains from 10 to 30 cm long, with each individual about 2 cm long.  This species is a fast swimmer, and the chains had a snake-like appearance as they moved about.  On the other side of Wharf II, in Monterey Harbor, another pelagic tunicate invasion was underway.  Again, most people probably paid scant attention to the hordes of doliolids (Dolioletta) that cavorted near the surface.  With careful looking it was possible to see dozens at a time, with their presence revealed most readily by the jumpy swimming pattern.  

    Moon jellies (Aurelia) were the species of the day in southern Monterey Bay on September 6.  Many were concentrated in surface patches about a mile or so off Sand City and former Fort Ord.  A week later (September 13), decent patches of moon jellies lingered several meters below the surface within a mile south of Point Pinos.  Distribution was spotty, but in some locations it was possible to see up to 10 at a time from the surface.  Farther south in Carmel Bay, the areas around the kelp beds of the inner and outer Pinnacles hosted a gelatinous stew of sea gooseberries (Pleurobrachia), lobed comb jellies (Bolinopsis), Beroe forskalii, and cross jellies (Mitrocoma).  All were near the surface and best observed in glassy smooth areas free of wind chop since their transparent bodies can make them difficult to see.  A few moon jellies mingled in the area.  Throughout the area from Carmel Bay to Point Pinos, a few egg-yolk jellies (Phacellophora) were widely scattered.  On September 14, outside Bluefish Cove at Point Lobos, cross jellies were abundant in surface waters.  

    September 19 presented another good opportunity to see lots of moon jellies.  A large crowd frolicked within a mile of shore off Sand City and former Fort Ord.  Scattered within the lunar swarm were a few egg-yolk jellies.  Moon jellies continued their abundant presence in a large slick off Monterey on September 21.  Additional gelatinous travelers included numerous Beroe and sea butterflies (the pteropod Corolla), and a relatively high number of heteropods (Carinaria), the amazing pelagic gastropod that preys on a variety of gelatinous prey.  Whereas the sea butterflies generally drift lazily while feeding passively with a mucus web, heteropods are active swimmers that visually hunt down their prey.  

    Moon jellies floated in relative abundance within a mile north of Point Pinos on September 24.  On September 25, cross jellies and egg-yolk jellies were the gelatinous animals of the day outside Bluefish Cove at Point Lobos.  Egg-yolk jellies were also fairly abundant just to the north at Mono-Lobo.  While scuba diving, it was possible to see 2 or 3 at any time.   Throughout the rest of the week, moon jellies made their presence known within a mile of shore off Monterey and Pacific Grove.  By the end of September, bell jellies (Polyorchis) were starting to show up in Monterey Harbor.  They were easily seen bobbing among all the harbor debris near the surface.   

August 2000:  Purple-stripe jellies (Pelagia colorata) strutted their stuff on August 2 in southern Monterey Bay.  A nice concentration of these impressive jellies drifted in calm nearshore waters off Sand City and former Fort Ord.  Within a short time period while boating, it was possible to easily find 10 to 20 lingering near the surface.  Most were of moderate size, with bell diameters ranging between 15 to 30 cm.  Oral arms and tentacles were relatively reduced on all but a few more well-endowed individuals.  This may partly be the doings of hitchhiking crabs that heavily infested many of the Pelagia. 

    Purple-stripe jellies continued to be seen in in relatively high numbers through the middle of August.  Among other days, August 17 was a good chance to easily find a dozen or more while boating along the shores of Monterey and Pacific Grove.  Sea nettles (Chrysaora) also made some impressive showings.  A dense swarm was seen outside the kelp beds of Pacific Grove on August 19.  Most were not readily apparent while viewing the murky surface water and required diving deeper than 10 or 20 feet.  Several miles west of Cypress Point, purple-stripe and egg yolk jellies delighted those who ventured out to sea that far.  The surface plankton bloom in southern Monterey Bay continued to dominate on August 21.  Sea gooseberries (Pleurobrachia) were notably abundant right at the surface in the green water off Pacific Grove.  Their notorious predator, the comb jelly Beroe forskalii, was scattered throughout.  On the same day, if you took a boat ride from Monterey Harbor to Point Pinos, you also probably would have seen up to a half dozen egg-yolk jellies (Phacellophora) drifting lazily at the surface.  

    Calm, glassy smooth waters in Monterey Bay during the morning of August 23 presented an excellent opportunity to see the four major players on the central coast jellies scene: moon jellies, egg-yolk jellies, purple-stripe jellies and sea nettles.  Purple-stripe jellies were conspicuously abundant just outside the kelp beds of Pacific Grove, where a few minutes of boating easily revealed up to a dozen or more.  Most appeared relatively old (in jellyfish years), with tattered and reduced oral arms.  About a mile or so farther out, in a long band stretching from off Fort Ord to near Point Pinos, a flotilla of moon jellies (Aurelia) marched in an easterly direction.  It was possible to see several hundred during a short period of boating.  They were somewhat on the small side, ranging from 10 to 20 cm bell diameter.  Interspersed were patches of sea nettles with bells of 10 to 25 cm diameter, and less common were a few egg yolk jellies.  The water was feeling the effects of a strong plankton bloom, so jellies several feet down appeared as luminous glowing blobs within the greenish-brown gloom.  South of Point Pinos, about a mile offshore of Point Joe, another type of gelatinous animal, the salp Salpa fusiformis, was notably abundant.  Many appeared to be in poor condition and were floating at the surface. 

    The water outside of Bluefish Cove at Point Lobos was notably green, murky and gloomy on August 28.  The plankton bloom didn't hinder several types of gelatinous wanderers though.  From the surface down to about 7 meters, relatively high numbers of the transparent hydromedusa Solmaris  drifted in the haze.  Accompanying them were jumpy barrel-shaped doliolids (Dolioletta).  Get too close to one of these tiny relatives of salps and you will see a demonstration of their quick getaway response brought about by rapid contraction of circular bands of muscles in the body.  No doubt the large egg-yolk jellies lurking in the area were feeding on these and other gelatinous creatures.  

    Egg-yolk jellies (Phacellophora) ruled the waters off Pacific Grove and Monterey on August 29.  From the Monterey Breakwater, to Point Pinos, and south past Cypress Point into Carmel Bay, they were the most conspicuous gelatinous animal.  A large aggregation of cross jellies (Mitrocoma) drifted gently in calm waters of the Point Pinos area.  The following day (August 30), egg-yolk jellies continued to linger from the Breakwater to Cypress Point.  Many floated conspicuously right at the surface.  Between the Breakwater and the Monterey Mile Buoy, a slick outside the kelp bed harbored high numbers of doliolids.  If you were out boating between Point Pinos and Cypress Point, you undoubtedly would have noticed the unusual numbers of purple-stripe jellies.  It was easily possible to see several dozen during a short period of boating, which is quite remarkable for this jelly.  All appeared somewhat old and battle-worn, with short oral arms and tentacles. Off Point Joe (between Point Pinos and Cypress Point), a large kelp debris laden slick harbored a few Beroe cucumis, in addition to egg-yolk and purple-stripe jellies.  Careful searching also revealed the presence of a scattering of the predatory heteropod, Carinaria.  Among other things, they were probably preying on doliolids and salps that have been abundant recently.  Continuing south past Cypress Point, the outer waters of Carmel Bay held a respectable aggregation of moon jellies.  

Jellies Invade SoCal !!  Bathers and swimmers in southern California during July had some unpleasant gelatinous encounters.  Beaches in the Los Angeles area and other locations in southern California were inundated with hordes of purple-stripe jellies (Pelagia colorata).  Hundreds of beach-goers were reportedly stung by these flimsy beasts from the end of June through the first week of July.  Although not deadly, the stings can certainly be painful.  Some people fared a little worse after possibly suffering allergic reactions.  A remarkable aspect to the story is that a jelly invasion of this magnitude has not occurred in southern California for at least two decades - most beachgoers have never encountered such a mind-blowing event.  Why the jellies stayed away so long, and why they decided all of a sudden to party in L.A. is a mystery.  Even biologists who have studied jellyfish for years can only come up with lame guesses.   

    Whereas some met their fate while surfing or swimming in the water, many others neglected common sense and messed around with beached jellies.  It's important to remember that a dead jellyfish on the beach still is capable of leaving a stinging legacy.  Even that sand coated quivering gelatinous blob can wreak some vengeance.  Another thing to note is that jellyfish do not attack people!  What may appear to be an attack is actually more the fault of the person stumbling into the tentacles of the jelly.  And it's the tentacles of the purple-stripe jelly that pack the punch.  These are the thin, dark maroon structures that originate around the bell margin.  Their primary purpose is to immobilize the crustaceans, larval fish and other live prey that the jelly needs to subdue before attempting to ingest.  The largest mass of the jelly, the massive bell, is basically harmless.