Mile 178 - Cape Cove, Sea Lion Point, Sea Lion Caves - May 31, 2014

Report Details

It was a minus tide, and it allowed me to observe the invertebrates living on the "off-shore" rocks. There was a huge presence of purple shore crabs climbing about on every boulder. They were hard to photograph because they would scatter and hide when ever they would detect me. There were also many sea stars covering the rocks. Unfortunately, they didn't look as healthy. It seems the sea star wasting syndrome has also taken hold on this part of the coast. Sea stars had the appearance that looked as though they were "melting". Very sad. Tsunami debris was also very evident today. Lots of buoys, and plastic bottles w/Japanese writing littered the drift-line.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: -1.4 feet.

Human Activities

I was sickened to notice someone had spray-painted red graffiti on one of the basalt rocks at the bottom of cliff.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Graffiti.

Notable Wildlife

It was a minus tide, so I got to view plenty of tide-pool critters.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Dead sea lion carcass was decomposing at high tide drift line.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Sea stars were observed wasting away and dying.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling.