Monterey Bay Sea Nettle Bloom

Hundreds to thousands of mature sea nettles sighted during a late morning zodiac dive at Aumentos (Monterey Bay) on Saturday, October 12. The bloom became thicker throughout the dive, spanning 10 to 60 foot depth. There had been heavy surge and waves crashing on the coastline several days before this dive. 50F water temperature, small current, minimal surge, 10-15 foot visibility, ? plankton bloom or detritus from the surge earlier in the week.