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Anybody who has ever been to our majestic coastline is sure to leave with some memorable moments they’ll take with them for the rest of their lives. From gorgeous sunsets to stunning marine life, our coast is a beacon for ocean-goers everywhere. And one very special thing that the LA coastline has to offer is exceptional whale watching opportunities.
With Dana Point recently being named a World Whale Heritage Site and prime whale watching season just hitting our shoreline this month, we thought it would be a great time to catch up with Diane Alps, Boats Programs Manager at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA). Diane has been with CMA since 2000 and is currently training volunteers with the Cabrillo Whale Watch Naturalist Program, an initiative that trains over 100 volunteers each year to lead whale watching trips and classroom programs. Diane was nice enough to provide us with a plethora of whale knowledge and tips and tricks for getting out and seeing whales during the winter migration season.
Cetaceans: A Natural History
Cetaceans, more commonly known as whales, are known for their remarkable size, being the largest aquatic mammals in the world. While this is a major reason why we love to see them in the wild, it also nearly led to their demise. Up until as recently as the 1960s-70s, whales have been targeted and hunted for their fat and oil. Seen as a huge possible food source, whalers became more and more efficient in trapping and killing these enormous creatures. So efficient, in fact, that populations around the world began to decline rapidly.
Gray whale populations plummeted to as few as a couple thousand individuals living in the wild. But, with a large societal shift of consciousness and the passing of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) and the Endangered Species Act (1973), populations have recovered to pre-whaling estimates (around 27,000 individuals). Today, it isn’t uncommon to see Humpback, Gray, and Blue whales along the California coast, making our home the ideal spot for whale watching. In fact, 30% of all whale species can be seen from the California coast!
Whale Watching
How it All Started
The act of whale watching began in Southern California and quickly became an international past time as early as the 1950’s. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium played a key role in moving this past time to the mainstream. John Olguin, the father of modern day whale watching noticed that during peak whale migration months (November-March) many fishing boats weren’t in use. So, he proposed the idea of utilizing these vessels to get local community members out to see whales up close and learn more about them. This began the whale watching trips that continue today.
Where We’re at Today
Today, whale watching is more popular than ever. With recent changes to the oceanographic conditions off our coast, we’ve seen changes in the numbers and types of whales we see. One such change has recently come from a formation nicknamed “The Blob”, a mass of warm water that formed off our coast. This has led to many tropical whale species making their way north to our shores changing the population makeup of other species that have called our coast home for years. In fall of 2011, an unusual event occurred when over 100 blue whales were spotted in the Santa Monica Bay.
As oceanographic conditions continue to change from both human impact as well as natural changes, the makeup of whale species off our coast will also continue to change.
So…How Do We Go Whale Watching?
Whether you want to become a certified whale watching volunteer or simply want to spend a day out visiting with our giant whale friends, you’re only a quick step away. For those that want to become active in the whale watching community and spread their passion with others, Diane urges you to join the Cabrillo Whale Watch Naturalist Program. For anyone who doesn’t have the time to go all out, but would still like to see some whales, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers trips ranging from an adventure down to Baja to local partner run day trips. If you want to just take a chance and try to see these wonders from the shore, then you can find ample viewing opportunities at locations such as the Palos Verdes Peninsula, beaches in Malibu, or Redondo Beach.
While you’re out whale watching, make sure to keep an eye out for some of their remarkable behaviors. While we like to think that whales are waving to us when they are doing a pectoral slap, they’re actually stretching and getting some exercise and when they come up to the surface to breach, they’re simply getting a big breath of fresh air. While these actions may seem tiny, they’re amplified when done by a creature that weighs 80,000 pounds. Simply seeing a whale get a big breath is a truly magnificent sight. But remember to always be sure to follow best practices when visiting with our whale friends.
A Note on Conservation
Whales, like many other aquatic species, have been largely affected by humans. While the whaling industry has been downsized dramatically, the warming of our planet and the introduction of man-made plastics hold negative effects for whale populations. One particular large source of plastic in the ocean comes from balloons. Even balloons from far inland can drift to the oceans, where they are being ingested by numerous aquatics species including whales. So, in short…balloons blow, don’t let them go!
Besides balloons, the best thing that you can do to protect our ocean’s gentle giants is to educate yourself on the issues facing our ocean. From the Great Pacific garbage patch to melting ice caps, human impact stretches to the furthest reaches of the planet. So, we urge you to follow in the footsteps of John Olguin, the father of modern whale watching, and take ocean education into your own hands. In doing so, you can positively impact your community. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is always there to help you learn even more about the wonderful world of our coastal waters.
Have any great photos or stories from your own whale watching adventures? Share them with us at lastormwater@lacity.org.
All Photos Courtesy of Diane Alps
