Why We Dive
They're Here!
by Ev Schultz
(No. 7)
MOUSE OVER IMAGES TO ENLARGE!
Recent activities in the ocean reinforce why we dive…
every day is different!
An early arrival for Humpback Whales this year, as the first and second sightings were October 8th and 9th. They’re not expected to be too active until late November as they rest from their long journey from Alaska and give birth to their young
Some of the unusual sightings this fall begin with a large bait ball at Molokini, hundreds of small silvery fish (primarily `ōpelu, Shortfin Scad). There were several large Jacks and two rare Amber Jacks hunting through the bait ball.
An extremely rare sighting on the back wall of Molokini was made by Tiffany’s dive team on October 8th. A mola mola or sunfish was seen, looking like a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood with fins. The ocean sunfish is the largest and heaviest bony fish in the world. It’s a unique pelagic fish, observed up to 11 feet in length and weighing up to 5,000+ lbs, with adults averaging around 2,000 lbs. Ocean sunfish are generally thought to be solitary fish, swimming freely in the ocean alone. However, some sightings of molas in groups of ten or more have been reported. Frequently, giant sunfish lie inert on the ocean surface, apparently sunning themselves, which is likely where they got their nickname.
Sunfish are most vulnerable to floating plastic bags since their main diet of jellyfish, resemble this floating debris which may block their stomach causing them to starve to death. Adult sunfish fall prey to few natural predators, but sea lions, orcas and sharks are their main predators. Close relatives include pufferfish, porcupinefish and filefish, and sunfish keiki resemble puffers. Sightings in Hawaii are rare.
On October 9th, Spinner Dolphin were heard throughout the second dive and were seen only after surfacing. The group stayed in the water and snorkeled as the pod hung around the boat for a while after the dive. Additionally, some highlights on the night dive that evening were flying gurnard and squid.
October 14th was RAY DAY, with a rare Hawaiian Stingray and Spotted Eagle Rays at Red Hill. However, October 15th was RAY DAY II with Eagle Rays at the wreck on the 2-tank charter and more Eagle Rays and a Manta at Hawaiian Reef on the Adventure-X dive.
The only thing missing is you!
Ev Schultz is an integral part of ERDA. She has managed the booking office for over nine years and is constantly being praised by our customers for her warm and friendly manor while dealing with our diver's needs.