Triple Whale Spots: Mysteries of the Upwells

Image NOAA Whale before taking the plunge into the upwell -going deep and under, going out of sight.

Where underwater valleys stretch out to reach the coast and wall up rising into incredible heights….where cold undersurface ocean waters flows on the back bone of world ocean dynamics and meet coastal surface warm waters...where winds push the surface off and underwater maps go blue with depths and red on the continental shelf...that is where you will find Whales. In the mix up, in the upwelling, navigating, surface breaching, signaling, grouping, nursing, feeding and singing.

In North America, US, these conditions are met in several locations but three areas are under the spotlight. In the North Atlantic Ocean the Marine Sanctuary Stellwagen Bank just off Massachusetts Boston is one of them. All the way across the Continent and reaching Pacific Ocean waters -the other ocean the California´s Cordell Bank and Farallones Sanctuaries are the remaining two.

These sites sure have things in common...they are Marine National Sanctuaries, they are managed by NOAA and waters Whales call home. But they also have several other things in common….they are where the mysteries of the upwellings unfold. Like all upwelling locations around the world, where mountains rise from the ocean to met land...a rich productive system is found.

NOAA explains that the Sanctuary Stellwagen Bank draws over one million people to Whale Watching. NOAA also communicated almost simultaneously that the expansion of Sanctuaries California's Cordell Bank and Farallones Sanctuaries “more than doubled their area”.

On June 25 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization reported that the Stellwagen Bank is “where whales and other wonders awe one and all.”

“An estimated one million people whale watch within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary every year during the peak months of April to October,” NOAA stated.

Just off Massachusetts Bay -25 k from Boston the Bank welcomes Whales to its underwater plateau. Those flocking to take a glimpse into the life of these Ocean Giants co-exist side by side a productive ocean system and flourishing established fishing sector.

“In recent decades, the region has become famous for whale watching and is routinely ranked among the world's top-10 whale-watching destinations,” NOAA adds.

Whale watching activities are on the rise internationally especially since the rise of globalization and information access. Diving communities around the world are also growing and new generations of divers are finding their way to top locations.

On the other coast -out west NOAA is coming to grips with the expansion of the California´s Cordell Bank and Gulf of Farallones. The expansion of the Sanctuaries to double their size was officialized on June 9.

“The expansion will help protect the region’s marine and coastal habitats, biological resources, and special ecological features,” NOAA stated.

NOAA took in years of public comment and research to present the project for the expansion of the sanctuaries. The project was approved by US Congress.

“Research by NOAA and scientific partners identified the nutrient-rich upwelling zone originating off Point Arena and flowing south into the original sanctuaries as one of the most productive in North America,” most interestingly the organization revealed.

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary 42 miles north of San Francisco, expanded from 529 square miles to more than 1.2 thousand square miles. Gulf of the Farallones -renamed Greater Farallones grew from over 1.2 thousand square miles to 3.2 thousand square miles of ocean and coastal waters. Greater Farallones is now open to opportunities in stewardship, research, and education.

Who Lives on Cordell Bank? NOAA answers that the waters of Cordell Bank are home to thousands of plants and animals. From microscopic plankton to the Great Whales. Cordell Bank is an productive marine “treasure” area.

Maria Brown Farallones Superintendent applauded the news of the expansion of the Pacific California Sanctuaries. Superintendent Brown described the new policy of the Sanctuary as “more inclusive” and aiming to “bring greater public awareness”. The Superintendent added that the waters in question “represent an extraordinary marine ecosystem, one of the richest on our planet”.

“Our new name (Greater Farallones) is one that encourages partnerships in science, education, technology, management and community beyond our previous geographic and demographic area," Brown reached out and seized the opportunity to call out for action.

“This expansion represents the culmination of a multi-year effort to protect an important part of the ocean,” John Armor -Director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries added. “We look forward to working with our partners in these sanctuaries’ communities.”

At the Sanctuary Stellwagen Bank off Boston in the Atlantic Whales species observed include Humpback Whale, and Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Sei Whales and Pilot Whales. Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, Harbor Porpoises, Harbor Seals and Gray Seals are part of the community of Stellwagen Sanctuary. Critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales traverse the Sanctuary. Regulations are in place to protect and manage all species within the Sanctuary.

The three Sanctuaries represent an opportunity for the study of the relationships which manifest in this specific type of environment. It is in these type of ocean environments where certain elements combine to generate a massive energy system. Elements that contribute to this immense energetic system are complex and branch out in multiple directions. From underwater geology, nutrients, flow, species, trophic webs, ecology, winds, upwells and several other numerous and quantifiable factors, the stage is set.

Global connection studies are also relevant. Similar upwelling locations are spread throughout the World and its Oceans. From South and Central America, India, Africa, Asia, and other regions upwellings are known for their richness. These areas also are visited by Ocean Giants in their respective Whale Season.

From a Global Climate Change Era study perspective upwelling locations are influenced by weather patterns such as El Niño and La Niña, Storm seasons, Extreme Weather and events that lead to Drought.

The mysteries of the incredibly rich productive systems which store, generate, cycle and recycle massive amounts of energy are encoded deep within the rise and falls of upwells. These locations and their secrets travel on the back-length waves of Ancient Whale songs.