For decades, whale migration and crabbing operated as a tag team. But now, the whales are coming sooner—widening the window for exposure to fishing gear.
The Ocean
Bay Nature stories about the Pacific Ocean.
How a ‘Sturgeon Surgeon’ Tracks the Bay’s Giant, Stealthy Living Fossils
March 22, 2023 •
Researchers are investigating the secrets of our two resident sturgeon species, which have razor-sharp armor and shlorp up clams with their vacuum-shaped mouths.
That Foam on the Beach Is (Probably) Fine
March 8, 2023 •
Storms on the California coast whip up sea foam, especially in winter and spring. Here’s a frothy dollop of the science behind how this stuff forms (it’s kind of a planktonic meringue).
Meet the Protists, Marvelous Misfits in the Tree of Life
February 1, 2023 •
There are “plant-like,” “animal-like,” and “fungus-like” protists. But it’s surprisingly hard to say exactly what a protist is—these organisms are defined more by what they’re not.
King Tides Offer a Glimpse into the Future of Sea Level Rise
January 19, 2023 •
King tides over 7 feet are coming to the Bay Area Jan. 21-22, 2023—and lucky for us, they’re happening at a reasonable time to go out and see them. Here’s a short cosmic backgrounder on why king tides happen.
How a ‘Sturgeon Surgeon’ Tracks the Bay’s Giant, Stealthy Living Fossils
December 8, 2022 •
Researchers are investigating the secrets of our two resident sturgeon species, which have razor-sharp armor and shlorp up clams with their vacuum-shaped mouths.
Why Sneaker Waves Are So Insidious
November 17, 2022 •
Every now and then, the ocean sneaks up on the land, with a wave that’s bigger than all the rest. Scientists are working out where these dangerous waves come from.
To Count Seabirds From Above, Fly Slowly And Pack a Big Lens
October 13, 2022 •
Aerial wildlife surveys, conducted by the USGS to inform the coming offshore wind energy boom, are strikingly beautiful, for government data. They were also hard-won.
The Living Drill Bits That Grind Holes in Beach Rocks
October 10, 2022 •
The piddock clam makes its mark on the world at the rate of one millimeter per month.
In Bay of Life, an Internationally Renowned Media Duo Look to Their Monterey Backyard
October 4, 2022 •
With Bay of Life, Frans Lanting and Christine Eckstrom wanted to go past Monterey Bay’s natural beauty to explore its past, present and possible futures.
