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

• Autores: Isai Barba-Acuña, Juan Pablo Gallo Reynoso
• Localización: Revista de biología marina y oceanografía, ISSN 0718-1957, ISSN-e 0717-3326, Vol. 53, Nº. 3, 2018, págs. 353-357
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Registro inusual de la foca común (Phoca vitulina richardii) alimentándose de anchoveta (Engraulis mordax) en la pesquería de pelágicos menores en el Golfo de California
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• Resumen

  • 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.