Migratory Species to See this Fall and Winter

Boating offers a unique opportunity to be on the water and up close and personal with the marine environment. California’s unique coastline offers rich habitats and generous food sources for migrating species as they make their way to their next destination. Two major species boaters can see in the fall and winter are the gray whales and the green sea turtles, which utilize the coastline for food and protection from predators. “There are two major species that are migrating off our coast in fall and winter, and they are often highlighted,” said Cassandra Davis, manager of Volunteer Programs at the Aquarium of the Pacific. “Those are the grey whales, and they start in winter, and we can actually see them not only in the water but even along the coastline so people on shore can see them as they migrate. And we also have our green sea turtles. They are often seen migrating in the fall as they return from their nesting beaches in Michoacan and nearby islands and beaches.” The whales hug the California coast as they move to their breeding grounds in Mexico, and the green sea turtles come up to California to forage along the coastlines and in the harbors. According...