What I Didn’t See . . .
This weblog incorporates a wee little bit of self-mockery in addition to a LOT of pleasure at what others noticed throughout the newest dive journey I organized to God’s Pocket Resort.
There may be a lot I DID see and study from when on this dive journey about 40 km north of my house on northern Vancouver Island. However there are three sightings by others that led to an unfamiliar upwelling of feelings for me and unusual contortions close to my jaw line. I believe I could have been pouting. Not look!
Why? Let’s take a look at this case by case.
Sighting #1 – Mola / Sunfish documented by Timothy Manulides
I had an excellent dive and was again on the dive boat. Timothy walked over and stated, “I believe I noticed Sunfish.” I’m certain my preliminary response. was to blank-stare him. I assumed he was joking and poking slightly little bit of enjoyable, figuring out how a lot I’d be blissful for him, however unhappy for me.
It’s not that it’s unattainable to see Mola (aka Sunfish) on this space. This 12 months specifically has been exceptional for what number of sightings there have been by scuba divers within the Browning Move space (with potential repeat sightings of the identical Mola).
Timothy may additionally have stated: “I’ve by no means seen one earlier than” to which there could have been the response: “Neither have I and I dwell right here and we research them!”
We on the Marine Schooling and Analysis Society are concerned with a research into the 2 species of Mola off the coast. Whereas I’ve seen them whereas doing surveys from a ship, I’ve by no means seen one whereas diving.
I used to be on the identical dive and really close to to the place Timothy sighted them! Thank goodness he managed to get this video.
Right here’s what I posted about this sighting on our Marine Schooling and Analysis Society social media:
“So thrilled that Timothy did see and doc them in order that we all know (due to Dr. Marianne Nyegaard) that these are probably juvenile Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish), not the opposite Mola species present in these waters Mola tecta (Hoodwinker Sunfish).
From Dr. Nyegaard about this sighting: ” . . . they give the impression of being to me like very younger Mola mola – the stomach curve nonetheless has that angular look to them, which is the final remnant of the babyness.”
Chances are you’ll be aware that the Mola on the correct has an harm on their tail. These juveniles had been about 60 cm throughout.
The video additionally provides you a way of how briskly Mola are. They’re typically erroneously regarded as gradual as a result of, when on the floor, they’re “sunning” to heat up from being in colder, deeper water. They can be pretty stationary on the floor to current themselves for parasite elimination by birds like albatross.
The opposite fish species on this video are Widow Rockfish and Yellowtail Rockfish.
This 12 months it’s extraordinary that we all know of about 7 sightings of Mola within the Browning Move space by scuba divers. We will probably be reporting on the opposite sightings as soon as we’ve got some extra info. We are going to attempt to decide if they’re repeat sightings of the identical fish.
To report a sighting (with photograph and/or video) and skim concerning the variations between the 2 species, see www.mersociety.org/mola.
Because the identify “Hoodwinker” suggests, Mola tecta was hiding in plain sight. (“tecta” additionally means “hidden” in Latin).
It was solely in 2017 that analysis was revealed on the very existence of the species and it was thought to solely vary within the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere. Solely since 2019 has it been questioned whether or not they’re present in colder waters and – they certain are! They’ve been mistaken as being Mola mola, the Ocean Sunfish.
We’re collaborating and amassing the information for Ocean Sunfish Analysis.“
Sighting Quantity 2 – Medusafish seen by Shireen Shipman.
On in the future of our dive journey, the wind was howling so fiercely that we couldn’t get out within the boat. Fortunately, we may dive within the bay proper in entrance of God’s Pocket. After one in all these dives, Shireen confirmed me her beautiful photos and requested if I knew the species.
My jaw could have dropped (sure, my face obtained exercise on this journey).
I assumed this can be a Medusafish (Icichthys lockingtoni to 46 cm). However I needed to test with skilled Andy Lamb. I’ve by no means, knowingly, seen one. Their vary does embrace the place I typically dive however sightings and images of them by divers are uncommon. Because the reference to “Medusa” suggests, these fish typically are in amongst the tentacles of huge jelly species. Even in Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell’s fish ID e book, the one photograph of a Medusafish is of a lifeless particular person on the floor.
Andy confirmed this was a juvenile Medusafish and I’m certain he’s eager to make use of Shireen’s photograph in future to assist others ID the species.
The recognized vary of Medusafish is the North Pacific Ocean: Japan and Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California, Mexico.
How fantastic that Shireen observed that this was a singular fish and took stunning images. You possibly can see how shallow it was. Oh and did I point out? I used to be on this dive.
Sighting Quantity 3 – Male Rock Greenling seen by John Congden and Janice Criminal
I used to be to dive with Janice and John however I couldn’t clear my one ear. So I dived very close to the floor telling myself {that a} byproduct may very well be . . . seeing a male Rock Greenling (Hexagrammos lagocephalus to 61 cm)! One had repeatedly been seen at this website. They’re extremely territorial AND within the shallows in websites with excessive surge like this.
There seems to be little recognized about Rock Greenlings and there’s even scientific debate if the Rock Greenlings seen in Russia are the identical species as these alongside the North American aspect of the North Pacific Ocean. Dr. Milton Love discusses how observations of this species from jap Kamchatka and the Sea of Okhotsk are that they’re in colleges. Whereas over on this aspect, they’re noticed to be solitary and really territorial.
Again to me diving . . . within the surge. I spend an hour at not more than 6 metres depth and regarded, and regarded for the male Rock Greenling. I used to be again on the dive boat when my beloved dive buddies, Janice and John, surfaced from their dive ecstatic as a result of . . . the fish was the place that they had performed their security cease. Janice and John’s images of the male Rock Greenling comply with.
You possibly can see how astoundingly, flamboyantly colored mature male Rock Greenlings are and but, additionally regardless of their territoriality, they will clearly be so tough to identify.
I used to be so fortunate to later see a mature feminine Rock Greenling on one other dive, darting out and in of the Surfgrass. My images of the feminine Kelp Greenling are beneath.
There may be a lot dialogue about how territorial mature male Rock Greenlings are. However the mature females certain appear territorial too (primarily based on my pattern measurement of precisely ONE commentary of a mature feminine Rock Greenling). 🙂
So why the pouty face?
Why certainly did my face do one thing just like pouting upon not being a part of these 3 sightings? The essential issues are:
- Timothy’s video of the Mola was contributed to analysis.
- Shireen’s images of the Medusafish will assist others ID the species.
- Janice and John’s sighting of the male Rock Greenling was one thing they too had tried so arduous for, dedicating many dives to being within the shallows, rocking forwards and backwards within the surge.
I really regarded up the definition of “to pout” for better perception into what neural wiring results in such a facial features. I used to be gifted with: “to push one’s lips or one’s backside lip ahead as an expression of petulant annoyance or in an effort to make oneself look sexually enticing.” I guarantee you it was not the latter! Nor was it the previous really.
My interior 8-year-old is alive and nicely on this 60-year-old physique. She’s the one who pouted, desirous to be crammed with surprise too.
The extra grownup me loves the surprise of NOT seeing these fish. You could be on the identical dive, on the similar time, and never have the identical expertise. Isn’t that the reality! I like the metaphor it provides for all times. I like how way more there’s to marvel at, and to share.
Thanks buddies!
