ACS Monterey Bay Program for March 2005
Tales from the Sea of Cortez:
following in the wake of Ricketts and Steinbeck
 |
|
| Speaker: William Gilly, Professor at Hopkins Marine Station | |
In late March 2004 the 73 foot "Gus D" with a staff of biologists, a writer and a photographer, left the Monterey Harbor for Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, Baja California, to retrace the famous 1940 expedition of Ed Ricketts and John Steinbeck. Ricketts' detailed notebook of the expedition and especially the species list for each collecting site had made it possible to locate each site and compare changes in the 60-year interim. Each was visited in a near exact calendar date and tidal height enabling an almost perfect comparison. In addition to this, abalone and lobster fishing cooperatives on the west coast of the Peninsula provided interesting stops en route. The journey north into the Gulf allowed exploration of the Midriff Region and its islands. Coastal mangrove forests on the east coast of the Gulf were investigated on the journey south and back to La Paz.
Our speaker, with his long interest in cephalopods, had a strong desire to catch and observe the large Jumbo squid for which the region is famous. He was able to make observations on these predators whose behavior has been found to be extraordinarily aggressive. This species is also the major food item for the Sperm whales of the Gulf. This is the same squid which is currently being found now in considerable abundance in Monterey Bay.
We urge you not to miss this one - it is indeed a special treat.
Related web pages:
- Back to the Sea of Cortez - report on the expedition, including a daily log
- William F. Gilly
- Hopkins Marine Station
- Back to list of previous meetings.
|| Glossary || ACS Monterey Bay home page ||
Last updated April 13, 2005.