Kelpscape

Tajiguas After the Oil Spill

I dived Tajgiuas today, for the first time since the oil spill.  Above 25 ft, the visibility was the best I've seen off the beach: 50ft? More?  And, the temperature was 72F. El Nino is on his way to us!  Below 25', the visibility was probably 3ft and the temperature was 66F.  Quite a few sea creatures seemed to be enjoying the clear conditions, including an angel shark and a small octopus. A school of anchovies kept buzzing me, coming within a foot or so. There was plenty of kelp: maybe the fronds seemed more brittle than usual. 

Feather Duster Worms

Feather duster worms and burrowing clams on the West side, on the reef east of Surfer's Point, in April 2015, 1 month before the Refugio Oil Spill. This area appears to be covered with sand now. There's quite a bit of sand movement along the coast, both on the beach and underwater.  Overall there seems to be more sand on the beach and less atop the rock reef, than before the spill.