Unusual record of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) feeding on anchovy (Engraulis mordax) in the fishery of small pelagic fishes in the Gulf of California

Abstract: Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) range in North America from Japan to Mexico. Here we report the first record of a Pacific harbor seal feeding on Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) inside a purse-seine net of a sardine fishing boat in the Gulf of California. This event was...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barba-Acuña, Isai, Gallo Reynoso, Juan Pablo
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2018
Subjects:
Phoca vitulina richardii
foraging
Engraulis mordax
Gulf of California
Pacific
harbor seal
Phoca vitulina
Online Access:https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/oaiart?codigo=6910872
Description
Summary:Abstract: Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) range in North America from Japan to Mexico. Here we report the first record of a Pacific harbor seal feeding on Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) inside a purse-seine net of a sardine fishing boat in the Gulf of California. This event was recorded on video on January 11th, 2010, near Estero Tortuga, Guasimas, Sonora (27°50’N, 110°39’W). Sea conditions were of El Niño Southern Oscillation; this record was likely due to El Niño, forcing seals to travel beyond their distribution range in search of alternate foraging areas.

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