Subject: News: El Nino (1/2a)
16 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA: SEABIRDS
>Monterey Bay Area Pelagic Trips reported Manx and Flesh-footed ,
>Black-vented shearwaters, Black-footed Albatross, and Craveris'
Murrelet. >The water temps in Monterey Bay have been averaging 10
degrees F higher >than normal. This is causing the colder water in
the bay's deep trench to >cease its normal upwelling. As a result,
there is some concern that the >birds will suffer due to lack of
food. This is because the fish are >diving deeper to obtain their
own sustenance.--Peggi Rodgers >
18 SEPTEMBER. PERU: MALARIA
ENSO is given as the cause of warming temperatures and a malaria
outbreak in El Valle de la Convencion, north of Cuzco ( I believe
this is in the area between Macchu Pichu and Cuzco.--ed). Higher
temperatures have allowed increased populations of Anopheles and
other mosquitoes. Numbers of malaria cases range from 4,000 to
10,000--from Dave Coder on ProMED
19 SEPTEMBER. CHILE AND PERU: HANTA VIRUS
Chile reports 23 cases (14 fatal) of hanta virus in both the
northern and southern ends of the country, with a possible (but
unverified) case in Vina del Mar in the center. Peru reports a
possible case, in Mollendo, southern Peru, a Chilean.
(Unfortunately Peruvian, Ecuadorian and Chilean authorities are
treating the disease as one that can spread from region to region.
In reality it is instead a disease likely to 'lurk' in rodent
populations, emerging only sporadically, such as when rodent
populations balloon during rainfalls associated with ENSO events.
It is not clear that this has happened. Reports on rodent
populations from western South America would be very useful--ed)
--from Dave Coder and Mario Cornejo
on ProMED
20 SEPTEMBER. INDONESIA: CHOLERA
At least 154 people have died in Irian Jaya, eastern Indonesia,
because of "drinking unsanitary water after rivers in the area ran
dry."-- Robert A. LaBudde , excerpted from FSNET (D.
Powell,Univ. Guelph) on ProMED
20 SEPTEMBER. COSTA RICA: DENGUE FEVER
Since August, western Costa Rica has had five confirmed and 12
suspected cases of hemorrhagic dengue fever, the worst outbreak
since 1993. Hemorrhagic dengue fever occurs in those who have had
dengue in the past, potentially 30,000 Costa Ricans. --from Dave
Coder on ProMED
22 SEPTEMBER. VENEZUELA: DENGUE FEVER
An extension of the rainy season is being blamed for a 40% increase
in dengue fever compared to last year in the Federal District and
Miranda State. --from Dave Coder on
ProMED
23 SEPTEMBER. CHRISTMAS ISLAND/KARITIMATI: CLIMATE
Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Unusual heavy rains began in May
1997 and continue through September, an estimated 1 3/4 meters so
far.--B.A. Schreiber
23 SEPTEMBER. MALDIVES: CLIMATE
I am very interested in the 1997 ENSO, especially as insofar as it
has any implications for Maldives where I reside and study the
reefs. The water has been unseasonably warm here since April
although coral bleaching has become less frequent since
June.--William Allison
23 SEPTEMBER. IDAHO: INSECTS
I do not know if this is El Ni+/-o related but there have been an
increase in bees this year. Yellow jackets have been eating fruit
while on the bushes. Garden Valley and even Boise, Idaho had an
increase in bees. In Boise, there has been an increase in calls to
exterminators and some people have been hauled out in the ambulance.
The bees, mainly Yellow jackets, have been mean, they sting people
even when they are not being bothered.-- Pepe Barton (email address
was lost).
23 SEPTEMBER. NEW YORK: MARINE TURTLES
The purpose of this report results from reading the information in
the web site and beginning to try to think of reasons for a shift in
sea turtle (Chelonia, Lepidochelys, Carretta, Dermochely) movements
and occurrence in the New York Bight. The numbers of turtles
captured is significantly reduced (by at least 1 order of magnitude)
and leatherback sea turtles completely bypassed the region on the
move north. These are events that I have not observed in over 20
years of field work. It may have nothing to do with the El Ni+/-o
event but it may be an interesting coincidence. What do people
think?--Samuel S. Sadove
23 SEPTEMBER. TEXAS: CLIMATE
I visited Corpus Christi Wed. Sept. 18, 1997, and was told that
this Sept. was the second hottest, driest Sept. on record.--Lynton
S. Land
23 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA: FISH
Palos Verdes: Dorado, Mahi-Mahi, at N34, W118, water temperature:
74F, sighted within 3 miles of shore. Bill Andrus
23 SEPTEMBER. CHILE AND PERU: FISHERIES
The fishmeal industries of Chile and Peru have been hard hit by a
sharp fall in fish stocks as a result of El Nino's warming effect on
seawater. Analysts predict that this season's output from both
country will decline by about 20% or more. Mainland China has
increased purchases of fishmeal from both countries to a record
300,000 mt during April through June, up 50% from the same period
last year. The mixed feed industries in Europe and North America
are using a greater proportion of soy meal in place of fish meal in
their products.-- JAJfish@aol.com (INFOFISH No. 17/97).
24 SEPTEMBER. TENNESSEE: CLIMATE
The weather in Tennessee this year and all across the southeast
United States, for the most part has been cooler than normal.
Tennessee has also received more rain than average this year and
with the remaining time left in the year will have a significant
difference if the pattern continues--Bill Larson
24 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA: SEABIRDS
Some observations from some recent cruises off central California,
but first, be aware that SSTs off California have been gradually
climbing during the past decades, so that even w/o ENSO, often they
are warmer than they were during the GREAT ENSO of 1982/83. Truly
SSTs off here are warm now, reaching 19 C inshore, 17-18 C off the
shelf.
We have a paper about to be published (Schwing et al. 1997, in
Calif Coop Ocean Fish Investig Reports) that reviews the physical
and biological oceanography off central and southern Calif during
the past few years. Included are "invasions" of several seabird
species usually around off Mexico and central America: Parkinson's
Petrel, Dark-rumped Petrel (several) and Swallow-tailed Gull, etc.
Most recently, on cruises, we have detected three patterns: 1)
continued invasion of warm-water birds to waters off San Francisco
(fish, too, but other folks have been reporting those): RB
tropicbird, Least Storm-petrel and more Black Storm-petrels than
usual; 2) an almost complete absence of birds in waters deeper than
2000 m (i.e., life has moved to the shelf break and nearer to
shore); and 3) evidence of increased mortality (i.e. floating dead
bodies) of alcids (murres and auklets) but not other species present
(gulls, shearwaters).-- David Ainley
24 SEPTEMBER. WISCONSIN: CLIMATE
RACINE COUNTY: Only on 3 days all summer did the temperature reach
95F. Lilacs that normally are in full bloom by May 15 did not bloom
until late June. Some lilac blooms still visible in July.-- Craig
Murdoch
24 SEPTEMBER. SOUTH AFRICA: FISHERIES
I am a recreational fisherman in the Atlantic Oogether from the sea
between 60N-5E and 63N-10W. Observations from bird observatories in
Denmark indicate that Kittiwakes have been very few this year in the
eastern North Sea.--Bergur Olsen berguro@frs.fo Satellite imagery
suggest that the North Atlantic surface water is 2 to 3 degrees
Celsius warmer than in normal years. This could well influence
seabird food distribution, perhaps causing our observed Kittiwake
breeding failure.--Jan Durinck ,
http://inet.uni-c.dk/~ornis./xmllcome.htm
18 SEPTEMBER. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: CLIMATE.
This is a status report from some friends that live in PAPUA New
Guinea, Iwill try to have them send me more information directly
from the Newspapers. "...this El Ni+/-o we are having is really
doing a number on this country (PNG). There is really bad drought
and frost in the highlands, and they are actually running short on
food and water. It has been a very long time since it has been this
bad I guess. This country is a very abundant country with food.
They rarely have problems with hunger like some of the other third
world countries. They have really been hit hard. Where we are at
(Madang) we have been one of the more fortunate places in that we
got 2 inches of rain a few weeks ago which topped off all the water
tanks, so we will make it through the course without having to cart
water up from the river. Many other places around us though are
much much drier."-- Pat Earley .
18 SEPTEMBER. OREGON: CLIMATE
Three tornadoes occurred in the past few days. Although not
unusual, veryuncommon, especially three in less than a week. In my
20+ yrs living in Oregon, very few tornadoes have beenobserved. And
especially unique in the valley. The location of the tornadoes was
in/near Salem Oregon, about 50 miles south of Portland.--Tom Repasky
.
18 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: CLIMATE
Coastal central AK rarely has thunderstorms. It is usually too
cool. This year Anchorage has had five, including a major one
today, with waterspouts reported off Kodiak.--David Duffy
19 SEPTEMBER. FLORIDA: CLIMATE
I am a biologist doing long term monitoring of coastal waterbirds in
southwest Florida. I have access to water level and rainfall data
for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (interior fresh water wetlands) for 35
years. In comparing 1997 water levels (these levels parallel
rainfall) to 1982 I get the best match of graph curves of any of the
35 years. Early (Feb.) and strong dry-down, then levels going up
strongly (June) and peaking 5 months early. This is a very unusual
pattern. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the year
brings. I haven't looked at the bird data to see if there is any
kind of correlation yet.--Ted Below
21 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE: FISH
I recently heard a rumor that a Marlin was caught off of Vancouver
Island and a shark was caught off of Lummi Island (out of
Bellingham, WA).--Eric Turner
21 SEPTEMBER. TEXAS: CLIMATE
Austin. For the entire month of August we failed to reach the 100
degree air temperature mark. I cannot remember this ever
happening.-- John Williams .
21 SEPTEMBER. NEW MEXICO: CLIMATE
Average annual rainfall for Albuquerque is 8.88 inches, which has
now been exceeded by 2.17 inches - not a lot by some standards but
it's one-fourth of the yearly average in our arid high desert
country. In a discussion last week with the NWS people here, I was
told that this is within the normal variability for this
area.However.....that was before Hurricane Linda - an El Ni+/-o
event,according to the news. In tracking outflow from Linda on the
GOES EastPac satellite (infrared, water vapor) this past week, the
additional 0.63 inches between 09/10/97 and 09/19/97 is directly
attributable to the hurricane. More rain is forecast this weekend
(9/20/97) as the midwestern remnants of Linda are pushed down with
the Canadian cold front. This may dislodge the stationary high over
us which has kept Nora from moving much.I am watching Nora for more
of this same activity as the moisturecontinues to flow up from
Mexico in this prolonged monsoon season.Oh, yeah, we're a lot
cooler, too, and degree days are way dow n (da
21 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: FISH
Received a report through Bob Johnson, ADF&G Sport Fish Biologist
inYakutat that last week (September 15 - 18) a charter operator
spotted an Ocean Sunfish one mile offshore of Ocean Cape near
Yakutat, Alaska (59N/140W). Perhaps the furthest sighting of this
species both to the both N and W?--Sue Walker <
sue_walker@mail.fws.gov>
22 SEPTEMBER. WORLDWIDE: FISHMEAL
Aquaculture businesses worldwide are waiting to see how El Ni+/-o
will affect supplies and prices of fish meal, with an especially
wary eye on the situation for anchoveta fish meal which originate
principally from Peru and Chile. According to the FAO, in 1995,
poultry farms accounted for 50% of global consumption of fish meal
followed by swine (25%) and aquaculture (15%).Water temperatures in
Peruvian anchovy fishing areas are running1.7-5.3 degrees above
normal. Reports from fisheries indicate anchovies are migrating
south to escape the warm waters, and Peru's loss may be Chile's
gain. However, anchovy fishing in Chile has been hampered by very
bad weather. Alternative sources of fish meal such as capelin meal
from Iceland and Denmark are much higher priced.In the July 1997
issue of Fish Farming International, decreasedanchoveta catches were
tabulated with previous El Ni+/-o events as follows: YearaIntensity
of El Ni+/-oa#Months% Change in
Catch1951aModeratea701953aWeaka601957-58aStrong11a01965aModeratea
6-18.31969aWeaka5-12.41972-73aStrong14a-55.51976aModeratea7-
27.21982-83aStrong10a-56.11987aWeak/Moderatea3-22.7a1991-92aModerate
9a-23.8 It is forecast that fishing companies will hold onto their
stocks of fish meals and speculate on obtaining higher prices in the
coming months, which could mean sharply increased costs of fish and
shrimp feeds for aquaculture farmers in 1998.--Barry A. Costa-Pierce
.
22 SEPTEMBER. PERU: CLIMATE
The past week Puno had temperatures of 20 C (high for area) and no
rain. Arequipa had moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms.
Moderate rains on the coast between Atico and Camanss (Dept.
Arequipa) with some landslides. Amazonia, normally hot had above
normal temperatures. Light rains in Piura, but heavy rains in
Machala, Ecuador. In Lima, August was a warm month. September has
turned out to be cool (not cold) month with the typical "gar.a" or
light drizzle. However, we are having frequent constant light rain
all night and part of the day. The fishermen at Chorillos (just
south of downtown Lima) are practically out of work due to lack of
cold water fish. The same is true along most of the Peruvian coast.
Yesterday, Marcona (near Nazca) had more than 40 hours of drizzle
rain and has affected dirt roads and local houses not built for rain
in a desert coast where supposedly it never rains.The Servicio
Nacional de Meterologia e Hidrologia (SENAMHI) statesthat sea
temperature is 3 to 4 degrees above nor mal.
5 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE: CLIMATE
Official report from Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife dive team:
"Divers encountered uncommonly warm water near Sekiu, with
temperatures as high as 61 degrees at a depth of 40 feet." Sekiu is
on the Washington coast at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Normal
temperature is 46 to 48 for this time--Hal Beattie
10 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: FISH
I was on a halibut charter out of Homer a couple of weeks ago with
my brother and brother-in-law when we came across an Ocean Sunfish.
We were in the central part of Cook Inlet due west of Kachemak Bay.
Unfortunately, it didn't stay at the surface long enough for a
photo. We sighted the characteristic bullet-shaped blob with the
dorsal fin flopping at the surface. When we got to within 60 ft, it
dove and swam away using both dorsal and ventral fins. Here are the
specifics: 59 27.60 N, 152 38.14 W, Temp. = 57.2 F (from a Furuno
fathometer, no estimate on accuracy), Depth = 205 ft.--Robert Suryan
16 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA: SEABIRDS
>Monterey Bay Area Pelagic Trips reported Manx and Flesh-footed ,
>Black-vented shearwaters, Black-footed Albatross, and Craveris'
Murrelet. >The water temps in Monterey Bay have been averaging 10
degrees F higher >than normal. This is causing the colder water in
the bay's deep trench to >cease its normal upwelling. As a result,
there is some concern that the >birds will suffer due to lack of
food. This is because the fish are >diving deeper to obtain their
own sustenance.--Peggi Rodgers >
18 SEPTEMBER. PERU: MALARIA
ENSO is given as the cause of warming temperatures and a malaria
outbreak in El Valle de la Convencion, north of Cuzco ( I believe
this is in the area between Macchu Pichu and Cuzco.--ed). Higher
temperatures have allowed increased populations of Anopheles and
other mosquitoes. Numbers of malaria cases range from 4,000 to
10,000--from Dave Coder on ProMED
19 SEPTEMBER. CHILE AND PERU: HANTA VIRUS
Chile reports 23 cases (14 fatal) of hanta virus in both the
northern and southern ends of the country, with a possible (but
unverified) case in Vina del Mar in the center. Peru reports a
possible case, in Mollendo, southern Peru, a Chilean.
(Unfortunately Peruvian, Ecuadorian and Chilean authorities are
treating the disease as one that can spread from region to region.
In reality it is instead a disease likely to 'lurk' in rodent
populations, emerging only sporadically, such as when rodent
populations balloon during rainfalls associated with ENSO events.
It is not clear that this has happened. Reports on rodent
populations from western South America would be very useful--ed)
--from Dave Coder and Mario Cornejo
on ProMED
20 SEPTEMBER. INDONESIA: CHOLERA
At least 154 people have died in Irian Jaya, eastern Indonesia,
because of "drinking unsanitary water after rivers in the area ran
dry."-- Robert A. LaBudde , excerpted from FSNET (D.
Powell,Univ. Guelph) on ProMED
20 SEPTEMBER. COSTA RICA: DENGUE FEVER
Since August, western Costa Rica has had five confirmed and 12
suspected cases of hemorrhagic dengue fever, the worst outbreak
since 1993. Hemorrhagic dengue fever occurs in those who have had
dengue in the past, potentially 30,000 Costa Ricans. --from Dave
Coder on ProMED
22 SEPTEMBER. VENEZUELA: DENGUE FEVER
An extension of the rainy season is being blamed for a 40% increase
in dengue fever compared to last year in the Federal District and
Miranda State. --from Dave Coder on
ProMED
23 SEPTEMBER. CHRISTMAS ISLAND/KARITIMATI: CLIMATE
Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Unusual heavy rains began in May
1997 and continue through September, an estimated 1 3/4 meters so
far.--B.A. Schreiber
23 SEPTEMBER. MALDIVES: CLIMATE
I am very interested in the 1997 ENSO, especially as insofar as it
has any implications for Maldives where I reside and study the
reefs. The water has been unseasonably warm here since April
although coral bleaching has become less frequent since
June.--William Allison
....
Subject: News: El Nino (1/2)
- one of the most severe ENSO events in history?
Compiled by Dr. David Duffy and Dr. Peter J. Bryant
Please send additional reports, corrections, or comments to:
David C. Duffy
Alaska Natural Heritage Program
University of Alaska Anchorage
Tel 907-257-2784
Fax 907-257-2789
Email afdcd1@uaa.alaska.edu
REPORTS FROM CONTRIBUTORS
30 JULY: PERU
As you are aware rains and floods have been catastrophic in China,
Europe, USA, Brazil, Chile, etc. Here in Peru, at the end of July,
I am still in short sleeve shirt and except for social affairs have
not worn a coat (August is normally our coldest month). Sunday and
Monday were practically full summer days. On Monday I went to
Lunahuana (42 km inland from Canete) and along the coast there were
people on the beaches camping and swimming. Not even in the last
"El Nino" (1982-1983) did we experienced such hot weather. In
northern Peru (Tumbes, Piura,Lambayeque), authorities are taking
full precautions to minimize flood damage, by cleaning river beds,
culverts, constructing containing walls, etc. It is expected that
"El Nino" should start manifesting itself sometime in September. It
is to early to determine how seabirds are being affected. However,
warm water fish have migrated south along the coast and the anchovy
has likewise moved south and probably down searching for cold
waters. The government has decla
6 AUGUST: USA ALASKA
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Press Release: Large Numbers of
Seabirds Wash Ashore: Biologists Scramble to Solve Mysterious
Die-Off
In two mysterious die-offs, birds continue to wash ashore along the
Alaska Peninsula and on St. Lawrence Island. Murres and puffins
have been found between Gambell and Savoonga and St. Lawrence
Island. Dead kittiwakes, bald eagles and other species have been
reported from Chignik to False Pass. According to U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service biologist, Vivian Mendenhall, specimens are being
collected from both areas for autopsy, which should help biologists
determine the reasons for the die-off. She also says that die-offs
from different locations and involving different kinds of birds may
have different causes. Mendenhall says that they have not yet
determined the cause of this die-off. Temporary die-offs in the
past have often been due to lack of food or when ocean conditions
are unusual. "However, it is important to investigate any unusual
mortality and check out all possible causes," she said. In the
meantime, biologists are considering the effect warmer temperatures
could be having, since this year s outhw
11 AUGUST: USA ALASKA
Virginia Aleck from Chignik Lake called yesterday to mention the
large numbers of dead birds they are seeing on the Alaska Peninsula
coast in the areas of Chignik Lake and also Perryville. She
specifically mentioned finding shearwaters, "whale birds" (fulmars,
right?), murres, and gulls. She also mentioned bald eagles and a
poor return of salmon to the Kametolook River.
stans@oilspill.state.ak.us (Stan Senner)
11 AUGUST: USA ALASKA
A few 'floaters' were noted including one dead Baird's Beaked Whale
(very old male), and seven dead Walrus. The Walrus carcasses were
initially throught attibutable to probable natural mortality given
the relative close proximity (60-100nm) to the huge Round Island
rookery in northern Bristol Bay. However, now in light of concern
regarding dead seabirds and current very warm waters in the Bering
Sea this summer makes me reconsider that something more sinister may
be going on; the current El Nino a contributing suspect. Casually
stumbling across 7 dead walrus in just a few days seems like quite a
few and suggests that there were many more floating around out
there. Sea temperatures 61F (13C) in coastal Bristol Bay?!?! 10F
(~6C) above normal! A few dead seabirds, mostly fulmars,
shearwaters, and murres were seen belly up, but these seemed like a
natural kind of mortality with the encounter rate subjectively not
thought to be unusal in these waters where seabird densities can be
phenomenal. Incredible we ather
13 AUGUST: SST's
This is the address for SST anomalies on the web:
http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/~jeh/IMAGES/SST/sst.anom.gif You will note
that the Gulf of Alaska and the Coast of Peru are now the two most
anomalous places on the planet in terms of hot seas. The two may
not be related. What is a warm winter going to do to bird and fish
overwintering survival? D. Duffy
13 AUGUST: PERU
During the weekend we had an unusual 'freaje' that came along the
Andes, along the coast, and part of Amazonia. In Lima we had a
temperature drop slightly below 20 C. Lots of rain for us during
three days. 40 km winds that created a dust storm in parts of Lima,
blew corrugated roofs and some trees. Between Casapalca and
Morococha at Ticlio there was a storm that accumulated snow more
than one meter in places. The Misti in Arequipa is covered with
snow all the way down. Two days ago in Cuzco there some snowflakes.
Along the Andes temperatures 0 or below. Some people froze.. The
high parts are all covered with snow blocking the high roads for
hours or days. Today I learned that the road between Puquio and
Challapallca (Ayacucho) has the greatest amount of snow and is
totally blocked. Juliaca is also heavily covered with snow. Strong
winds in places from Cajamarca south."Plenge, Manuel"
25 AUGUST: USA CALIFORNIA
We've had two rain storms in past 10 d; pretty weird, beats even the
'83 incident. Had a frigate bird and a dark-rumped petrel here and
about as well. David Ainley <>
26 AUGUST: BRITISH COLUMBIA TO CALIFORNIA
Excerpted from FSNET (D. Powell, Univ. Guelph): The Food and Drug
Administration has issued a warning against eating live oysters from
Washington state, which may have higher levels of bacteria due to a
heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. The FDA was quoted as saying,
"Oysters from Washington State should be thoroughly cooked," adding
the oysters should be boiled in water three to five minutes after
the shells open and steaming live oysters four to nine minutes in a
steamer that's already steaming. About 40 illnesses were reported
in California and Washington state due to the consumption of raw
oysters, the FDA said. An additional 100 cases have been reported
in British Columbia leading to the closing of harvesting areas in
that region. FROM: ProMED-mail
27 AUGUST: USA WASHINGTON STATE
I just spent the summer working for Chris Thompson at Wash Fish and
Wildlife, where one of the projects I was working on was collecting
data on seabirds washing up on the beaches on the southern Olympic
Peninsula. I recorded over 1500 Common Murres and dozens of other
species. Thomas Good
27 AUGUST: USA CALIFORNIA
I am a biologist at Point Reyes Bird Observatory currently working
on the Farallon Islands off San Fransisco and thought you may be
interested in recent events possibly concerning ENSO: * 30 year
record SST of 19.2 deg.C on 8/26/97 * during 82-83 ENSO SST reached
18.8 deg.C * Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, and large Albacore schools near
the islands in August * Warm water conditions did not significantly
affect seabird breeding in 1997 as productivity was average for most
species. Michelle Hester
28 AUGUST: USA CALIFORNIA
. . . One more note on the cormorant news story. The reason, I
think, that this is getting so much attention at this time (it is a
chronic problem) is that the numbers of recent hookings (of
seabirds, ed) are so high. A lot of us scientists think this is a
sign of the El Nino conditions in combination with a good year of
productivity from the birds (I know this to be so for brown pelicans
at least) and we are waiting for more data. Then another question
to ponder: what do you do with all those starving birds that are
expected? "Daniel W. Anderson" VIA SEABIRD
28 AUGUST: VIRGIN ISLANDS
I think it's important to place on record the "non-anomalies" as
well: our Brown Noddies in the Caribbean had a completely normal
breeding season in 1997, and did extremely well (typical for our
study site). John Chardine
28 AUGUST: BRAZIL
My name is Jorge l.B. Albuquerque. I am Prof of Biology and an
Ornithologist living in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. My
town is an island in south Brazil. I am observing a extensive
droughT in our area. All started in our summer (DEC-MAR). It
extended until July. Several trees which regularly flower during
this season did not produce any flowers. Recently (late May) we
experienced a big ocean storm which produced waves up to 3-4 meters
along our coast. This was a very unusual event. In August a few
rains started. People who are watching El Nino expect lots of
rains, inundations by November. Dr. Jorge L.B. Albuquerque
28 AUGUST: CHRISTMAS ISLAND, PACIFIC OCEAN
I have just returned from Johnston Atoll, 16 N 169 W. for the first
time since the 1982-83 ENSO when we began working there, there has
been no effect from this current ENSO event. Usually I see reduced
growth in several species of chicks and increased chick
mortality.This has not happenend, although local water water temps.
are warmer than ususal. This lack of effects is very unexpected and
may be involved with the early onset timing of this event? I have
heard from Peru that there is extensive seabird mortality occurring
along the coast, and has been for several months.
SchreiberE@aol.com
28 AUGUST: CHILE
Our research team has been studying the breeding colony of Humboldt
Penguins at Algarrobo, Chile since 1994. While there have been a
number of times when heavy rains have effected the breeding success
of birds in this colony, the entire colony was washed-out by rains
in April-May 1997. Whether this was a random event or associated
with this ENSO event is not known. However, we hope this
information, looked at as a part of the bigger picture may help
determine which is true. Ed Diebold
28 AUGUST: USA CALIFORNIA
We've been seeing some interesting pelagic birds here on the Central
Coast of California over the last couple of weeks; magnificent
frigatebirds and the like. I'll forward on posts from the Monterey
County rare bird alert when they contain reports of unusual birds
that may be associated with El Nino. Peggi Rodgers
31 AUGUST: CHILE
CNN reports that Peruvian Brown Pelicans have invaded the town of
Arica, northern Chile, swelling the population from 200 to 4,000.
Pelicans tie up traffic as they wander down streets looking for
food. Many are being run over or dying when they fly into electric
lines. (Similar behavior occurred in past ENSO events in Peru when
pelicans of the same species would invade markets to scavenge and
steal food. Mass mortality of pelicans and other seabirds is a
routine result of ENSO events off Peru and Chile.--ed). CNN Web
site <http://cnn.com/EARTH/9708/31/chile.elnino/index.html>
1 SEPTEMBER: USA CALIFORNIA
warm (68 degrees F) off of Fort Bragg, California and someone caught
a sailfish there! This is obviously highly unusual.
christine_moen@mail.fws.gov
1 SEPTEMBER: PANAMA
The edge of a very active portion on the ITCZ is just south , ca 80
miles of Panama City with very heavy storm activity on a line from
the Costa Rican border eastward touching the Azuero Peninsula and SE
Darien provience. To the west, a portion of this very active ITCZ
seems to be tearing off forming a Pacific Hurricane. Too early but
if so, more Dry weather for Pacific lower Central America. The
whole general area is under low pressure so little wind expected but
if ITCZ shifts up 80-100 miles to north, then very heavy rain. Neal
Smith SMITHN@tivoli.si.edu
18 JULY. PERU
The Peruvian government reinstated a coastwide ban on anchovy
fishing, based on lowered harvests related to El Ni+/-o conditions.
Dow Jones News. --Jeff June
8 AUGUST. CHILE
Chilean officials imposed a 30-day ban, beginning August 15, on
anchovy fishing in 2 northern regions due to El Ni+/-o effects. Dow
Jones News. --Jeff June
EARLY AUGUST. ALASKA
AP reported that Alaska vessels began delivering albacore tuna to
Kodiak processors from a fishery about 1,200 miles south of Kodiak.
The unregulated high seas fishery was reported to have grown from
about 35 vessels in 1996 to about 200 vessels in 1997. --Jeff June
EARLY AUGUST. CALIFORNIA
I forgot to mention that at the beginning of August, there was a
sighting of two Magnificent Frigatebirds 1/2 mile off the coast of
Rio Del Mar (near Santa Cruz) which puts them just about at the
outer edge of the bay. (additional bird records also available).--
Peggi & Ben Rodgers
23 AUGUST. NE PACIFIC
AP reports The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning
against eating live oysters from WA state, which could have elevated
bacterial levels due to warmer waters. About 40 cases of illness in
CA and WA as well as another 100 cases in British Columbia have been
reported and attributed to consumption of raw oysters. --Jeff June
. Contact Ben Gale for more info
3 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA
AP reports Kodiak AK fishermen fishing on tuna with the SST (Sea
surface temperature) in the Gulf of Alaska up to 64 degrees F,
rather than the usual 54 - 55 d. Also a pelagic armorhead , normally
a fish species of the "central Pacific", was caught off Kodiak.
California anchovies were found in salmon (species not given)
stomachs off Yakutat, southeast Alaska with SSTs at 63 o, rather
than the normal "mid-50s".
3 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE
Re seat-of-the-pants observations on the seabirds nesting on Tatoosh
Island, WA during the 97 season (in other words, the data have not
been properly worked up yet...), levels of attendance and
productivity appear to be at or higher than any other year in the
1990's for species we follow: fork-tailed storm-petrels,
glaucous-winged gulls, pelagic and double-crested cormorants, and
common murres. No sign of starvation, either adults washing up, or
chicks starving. Species composition of fish fed to murre chicks
did not change substantively from 1996. Radio-telemetered murre
parents foraged within range of our receivers (about 7 -10 km)
approximately 80% of the time (i.e. they aren't going very far for
food). Breeding phenology was within the range of dates of previous
years for all species. In short, the 'obvious' signs of ENSO's
effects on upper trophic level marine species: death, decreased
attendance, and reproductive failure, were not apparent. Maybe next
year. --Julia K. Parrish jparrish@u.washingt on.ed
3 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA
A Sooty Tern was reported again (last report was in early August),
off of the Silver Strand State Beach, between the cities of Imperial
Beach and Coronado. The bird was foraging on the ocean side with
Elegant Terns, and was later seen flying off to the Southwest over
the ocean. --Douglas Aguillard
3 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA
I was out at Cordell Bank a couple of days ago, and I can't remember
ever seeing the water around here so icy blue. Looked like a real
desert. Should have seen a few thousand Cassin's Auklets, but
probably didn't see 100. Low numbers of everything else as well,
except Sabine Gulls moving through. Pretty good numbers of
humpbacks and blues. Don't know how they're making a
living.--burr@igc.org (Burr Heneman)
3 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE
A 125 lb striped Pacific marlin was caught by two sport albacore
fishermen fishing about 20 miles southwest of Westport, Washington.
According to the WDFW, it is the first recorded catch of a marlin on
sport gear off the Washington Coast. --Jeff June
3 SEPTEMBER. CHILE
Karen Gryzbowski and I are members of the team working on a project
at Algarrobo (central Chile), and were there this past May and June.
We can send you specific dates etc, if you need them, but
essentially torrential rains that persisted for approximately 6
weeks caused nearly total abandonment of the colony at Algarrobo.
Alejandro Simeone and Mariano Bernal, who have been monitoring the
island for us, stated that prior to the storms in May, there were
over 200 active nests on the island. By the time I left June 24th,
we found one bird with two chicks remaining. ("Island" also
includes the rock breakwater extending from the east side of the
island). This bird had its nest in a very protected rock crevice on
the eastern aspect of the island. Many of the dirt burrows
collapsed from the rains, but the waves were so high that a majority
of the south side of the island was flooded by the ocean itself. --
Roberta Wallace
4 SEPTEMBER. NEVADA
Keep an eye out for official southern Nevada rainfall records. In
the last 3 days, several places around here appeared to have gotten
50 to near 100% of their normal annual rainfalls (e.g., Pahrump, NV;
4.5 inches in a few hours).--James L. Boone , URL:
http://members.aol.com/jlboonehile.elnino/index.html
4 SEPTEMBER.WASHINGTON STATE
This has been an unusually wet summer on the eastern slope of the
Washington Cascades. We've had "significant" (more than a trace)
rain events several times each month when our usual pattern is some
rain in June, then dry until late September or early October. These
rain events haven't been the afternoon thunderstorms that
occasionally pop up over the mountains, but seem to be associated
with monsoonal flows from the south. Sorry I don't have "hard"
data, but that shouldn't be too difficult to obtain. My field crews
have been soggy all summer when usually they're dusty.--Ann Camp <
aecamp@televar.com>
4 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA
We're following ENSO as it develops here in San Diego. From the San
Diego view, it's been weird weather. We've had very high humidity,
thunderstorms and big floods in the deserts way west (in our desert,
not AZ's), with water closing a major freeway in the desert (I-15
near Barstow) in the past week. There have been big thunderhead in
San Diego's mountains. We're also experiencing heat, and lots of it
and the ocean off here is some 10-20 deg warmer than normal. There
are big sport fishing catches of mahi mahi and albacore swimming
close to shore! In short, we've turned into the tropics. --Barry
Costa Pierce sustain@darwin.bio.uci.edu
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/state/index.htmll
4 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA
I am 45 miles s. of San Francisco, CA. It is reported on TV
weather/news that the waters off San Francisco are unusually warm.
One report was 10 degrees F. over normal; another report said 6
degrees F over normal. It is causing problems (potential) for the
fish at the Seaquarium (presumably Monterey Aquarium-ed.) in the
area as they use sea water in the tanks; and it's hotter than the
fish are accustomed to. I live in Half Moon Bay; and some people
are complaining about El Ni+/-o. They say because the water here is
warmer, we are not getting our fog and usual breeze (caused from the
cool, ocean air rushing in to the warmer inland air); and that it is
muggy even when breezy.--C. W. Gilbert
5 SEPTEMBER. OREGON
It appears as if things are beginning to take off on the Oregon
coast, with dead murres starting to wash up. I was informed today
by a colleague at our Newport (OR) marine science center that the
intake water recently was measured at 68o F, which is phenomenally
warm for our coastal waters.-- Jesse Ford fordj@ucs.orst.edu
5 SEPTEMBER. FLORIDA
My observations are anecdotal in the sense that I have made no
attempt at comparison to long-term data. However, here in
north-central Florida we seem to be experiencing an unusually dry
summer. We have not had significant rain in at least 2-3 weeks.
Afternoon rainstorms typically are experienced 2-3 per week (or so)
but this year seem more sporadic and infrequent.--Terry J. Doonan
5 SEPTEMBER. INDONESIA
You could certainly argue there is an ENSO component to the current
forest fires in Indonesia (particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan),
and that crop yields in parts of Java may be low due to drier than
normal conditions.--Radley Horton
6 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA
Rumor among state agencies in California is that the fall run of
Chinook up the Sacramento River started during the first week of
August. Nearly 7-8 weeks earlier than average. Unfortunately, I do
not have confirmation of this as I heard about it from a staffperson
at the CA Dep't of Forestry. Perhaps you have contacts in the CA
Dep't of Fish and Game that could shed light as to the accuracy of
this. Russ and Martha
6 SEPTEMBER. GUATEMALA
I have just come back from my honeymoon in Guatemala (a fantastic
time) and have a couple of couple of anomalies there to report. The
first is the massive decline in fishing hauls on the Pacific coast
this year, a fact which fisherman blame on the anomalously cool
waters. The second is a significantly smaller amount of rain
falling in the currently building wet season. While this was
pleasurable for honeymooners, locals are concerned for the
replenishment of above and ground water supplies for the typically
grueling dry season ahead. I hasten to note that the source of this
information is local newspaper reports and essentially 'word on the
street' from locals.-- Andrew Oliphan
, presently at
8 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA
Beached emaciated Short-tailed Shearwaters and Thick-billed Murres
were found in the Point Hope region of the Chukchi Sea in late
August. Reasons for the die-off are unknown as is the magnitude of
the event. Representatives of the North Slope Borough Department of
Wildlife Management conducted ground counts and collected samples.
George J Divoky
8 SEPTEMBER, NW USA
AP reports federal fisheries experts told the annual American
Fisheries Society meeting that "El Ni+/-o" may devastate salmon and
other fish stocks on the West Coast. Jim Martin, salmon expert with
the Oregon governor's office, said, "We should really pay attention
to this one."--GrassRoots: http://www.defenders.org/grnhome.htmlate/index.htmll
8 SEPTEMBER. OREGON
The most notable personal event was yesterday. I body surfed
without a wet suit for the first time since 1983 on a local beach.
We have some warm water, and more importantly no coastal winds. It
was pretty good. Jan Hodder (Charleston OR)
8 SEPTEMBER, CALIFORNIA
1- A sea fish (triple tail) was caught off the L.A. coast. This is
only the 2nd one caught here on record. According to the reports,
the fish is normally found south of 20 oN.
2- A mahi mahi was caught off the San Francisco Bay area.--Steven
Young
8 SEPTEMBER, WASHINGTON STATE
AP reports that Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria have become a
problem in west coast shellfish because of recent warm water
conditions "associated with the weather trend known as El Ni+/-o",
leading to a voluntary ban on raw shellfish.
LATE MAY - MID SEPTEMBER. COSTA RICA: CLIMATE
I would like to add to the information on Central America's western
coast and the central valley of Costa Rica. Exceptionally dry
weather for what is normally o ut wet or rainy season. Running from
mid May through mid December (usually). This year we have gotten
much less rain than usual. On the eastern slopes, there has been
flooding and much heavier rain than usual. I returned from the
coast yesterday where the locals have commented on much higher
temperatures than normal (and very rough seas - probably due to
Typhoon Linda at the time).--Marcos Bogan-Miller
mbogan@sol.racsa.co.cr
a
28 JULY. ALASKA: MARINE MAMMAL
Elephant seal in Valdez. "We received an initial report on 7/28/97
about a seal hauled out in the small boat harbor of Valdez. the
seal turned out to be an elephant seal in molt, likely a juvenile
male elephant seal which does molt during that time period and
typically would haul out for variable periods of time over the span
of 3-4 weeks to complete its molt. However, they are not typically
found nearshore in that area of Alaska. We also had reports through
8/12 . It did have some healed scars, perhaps predator bites but
was otherwise in apparently good physical condition. I do not have
subsequent reports; although after that date we had given people in
Valdez more information on why it was there and as a result the
reports may have decreased. I do not know the current
whereabouts."-- Kaja Brix
7 SEPTEMBER. PERU AND CHILE: HANTA VIRUS
Media reports 19 cases (nine deaths) of Hanta virus in Punta Arenas,
Coihaique, Santiago, Iquique, and Arica, Chile. Peru was taking
action against rats in Tacna, a coastal town in Peru. Rainfall in
normally desert coastal Peru and northern Chile may have led to
major population increases in the rodent vectors of Hanta
virus.--ed.)--Dave Coder from El Comercio
and Chip News, via ProMED.
6 - 11 SEPTEMBER. BRITISH COLUMBIA: FISH
Recently, on a salmon fishing trip to Milne Bank Sound, we witnessed
some unusual things. According to the fishing guides, we were
catching an unusual number of mackerel, 1-3lb. range., These were
all caught within 50 meters of the shoreline. The blue shark,
(4.5Ft.), caught by my brother was also within the 50m. zone.
Regular sightings of large "SUN" fish, I personally saw 4, were not
unusual.But having them in the area apparently is. Water temp. was
not measured except by feel, I think it was warm enough to swim in,
comfortably. Noticeable lack of water fowl.--Erik Virs
EARLY SEPTEMBER. JAPAN: FISH
"Just last week, a Tiger Shark was reported just north of
Wakinosawa, Japan. This was in the local newspapers and was caught
by the local fisherman in their nets."--Dave Beacham
9 SEPTEMBER. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: CLIMATE
Drought and frost have devastated agriculture, especially coffee and
palm oil, in the PNG highlands. Mining operations have also ceased
because of low water levels. The drought is the worst in 25 years,
in an area where normal rainfalls are more on the order of 10
meters/year.from Reuters.
9 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE: FISH
Washington State- Unusual records of fishes continue after the
landing of a striped marlin last week (first state record, northern
range extension. There have been several unconfirmed reports of
yellowfin tuna off Pacific Beach and the Columbia River, a likely
report of yellowtail from Westport, many reports of Pacific mackerel
off the coast and in Puget Sound, possible California Barracuda off
Willipa Bay, and ocean sunfish as far north as Neah Bay. None of
these are range extensions but certainly responses to El
Ni=F1o.--Wayne A. Palsson
9 SEPTEMBER. BRAZIL: CLIMATE
We have been a very hot and dry late winter here in southeastern
Brazil. Temperatures at Sao Paulo city have been commonly at 30 C
and sometimes over during the past weeks, and air moisture has been
unusually low, having reached around 15% several times during the
past week, something unrecorded before. Overall the winter has been
warm above average, with temperatures over 25C common at the coast
during most days. We are still waiting for rain; low moisture
levels have helped some (usually very humid) Atlantic forest areas
to burn along the coast.--Fabio Olmos & Rita Cerqueira Ribeiro de
Souza
EARLY SEPTEMBER. BRAZIL: CLIMATE
Rio de Janeiro recorded its hottest winter day in 75 years and
hottest day since 1984 at 108o F, a result of a strong high pressure
zone that blocks cold fronts during ENSO events.--Earthweek,
Chronicle Features.
10 SEPTEMBER. BRAZIL: SEABIRD
I have not seen as many Brown Boobies as I did last year in the
beaches of =46lorianopolis, Santa Catarina, south Brazil. This
species breeds here on one island off coast. Jorge L.B.
Albuquerque
10 SEPTEMBER. COLORADO: CLIMATE
This summer at the foot of the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains
(Colorado Springs) has been much wetter than normal. Our vegetation
is still green while it is usually brown at this point in the season
most years.--Jim Ebersole
10 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: MARINE TURTLE
We have also had a report of a 400 lb turtle caught in a seine net
off of Gravina Is in southern southeast AK. It was live and was
released. No other information provided. No spp ID.--Kaja Brix
10 SEPTEMBER. AUSTRALIA: CLIMATE, SOCIAL IMPACT
Roger Stone, an agricultural climatologist with the Queensland
government, suggested that "extreme statements' from scientists
about the coming ENSO event had triggered suicides in the Australian
agricultural community. Recent rains have broken a drought that had
threatened eastern Australia's wheat crop. Officials still predict
a 28 % reduction in winter crops compared to the previous year.
Stone suggested that there is not a direct relationship between
strength of an ENSO event and rainfall in Australia, so the present
event may not spell doom for Australia's crops. He gave no details
of the alleged ENSO-triggered suicides. after Reuters
10 SEPTEMBER. CALIFORNIA: FISH
A 70 lb Opah, Lampris regius, was caught recently by a local party
boat. I think too much is being made of opah landings as ENSO
indicators as this species follows "warm" currents throughout
together from the sea between 60N-5E and 63N-10W. Observations from
bird observatories in Denmark indicate that Kittiwakes have been
very few this year in the eastern North Sea.--Bergur Olsen
berguro@frs.fo Satellite imagery suggest that the North Atlantic
surface water is 2 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than in normal years.
This could well influence seabird food distribution, perhaps causing
our observed Kittiwake breeding failure.--Jan Durinck
, http://inet.uni-c.dk/~ornis.home.htmlate/index.htmll
18 SEPTEMBER. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: CLIMATE.
This is a status report from some friends that live in PAPUA New
Guinea, Iwill try to have them send me more information directly
from the Newspapers. "...this El Ni+/-o we are having is really
doing a number on this country (PNG). There is really bad drought
and frost in the highlands, and they are actually running short on
food and water. It has been a very long time since it has been this
bad I guess. This country is a very abundant country with food.
They rarely have problems with hunger like some of the other third
world countries. They have really been hit hard. Where we are at
(Madang) we have been one of the more fortunate places in that we
got 2 inches of rain a few weeks ago which topped off all the water
tanks, so we will make it through the course without having to cart
water up from the river. Many other places around us though are
much much drier."-- Pat Earley .
18 SEPTEMBER. OREGON: CLIMATE
Three tornadoes occurred in the past few days. Although not
unusual, veryuncommon, especially three in less than a week. In my
20+ yrs living in Oregon, very few tornadoes have beenobserved. And
especially unique in the valley. The location of the tornadoes was
in/near Salem Oregon, about 50 miles south of Portland.--Tom Repasky
.
18 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: CLIMATE
Coastal central AK rarely has thunderstorms. It is usually too
cool. This year Anchorage has had five, including a major one
today, with waterspouts reported off Kodiak.--David Duffy
19 SEPTEMBER. FLORIDA: CLIMATE
I am a biologist doing long term monitoring of coastal waterbirds in
southwest Florida. I have access to water level and rainfall data
for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (interior fresh water wetlands) for 35
years. In comparing 1997 water levels (these levels parallel
rainfall) to 1982 I get the best match of graph curves of any of the
35 years. Early (Feb.) and strong dry-down, then levels going up
strongly (June) and peaking 5 months early. This is a very unusual
pattern. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the year
brings. I haven't looked at the bird data to see if there is any
kind of correlation yet.--Ted Below
21 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE: FISH
I recently heard a rumor that a Marlin was caught off of Vancouver
Island and a shark was caught off of Lummi Island (out of
Bellingham, WA).--Eric Turner
21 SEPTEMBER. TEXAS: CLIMATE
Austin. For the entire month of August we failed to reach the 100
degree air temperature mark. I cannot remember this ever
happening.-- John Williams .
21 SEPTEMBER. NEW MEXICO: CLIMATE
Average annual rainfall for Albuquerque is 8.88 inches, which has
now been exceeded by 2.17 inches - not a lot by some standards but
it's one-fourth of the yearly average in our arid high desert
country. In a discussion last week with the NWS people here, I was
told that this is within the normal variability for this
area.However.....that was before Hurricane Linda - an El Ni+/-o
event,according to the news. In tracking outflow from Linda on the
GOES EastPac satellite (infrared, water vapor) this past week, the
additional 0.63 inches between 09/10/97 and 09/19/97 is directly
attributable to the hurricane. More rain is forecast this weekend
(9/20/97) as the midwestern remnants of Linda are pushed down with
the Canadian cold front. This may dislodge the stationary high over
us which has kept Nora from moving much.I am watching Nora for more
of this same activity as the moisturecontinues to flow up from
Mexico in this prolonged monsoon season.Oh, yeah, we're a lot
cooler, too, and degree days are way dow n (da
21 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: FISH
Received a report through Bob Johnson, ADF&G Sport Fish Biologist
inYakutat that last week (September 15 - 18) a charter operator
spotted an Ocean Sunfish one mile offshore of Ocean Cape near
Yakutat, Alaska (59N/140W). Perhaps the furthest sighting of this
species both to the both N and W?--Sue Walker <
sue_walker@mail.fws.gov>
22 SEPTEMBER. WORLDWIDE: FISHMEAL
Aquaculture businesses worldwide are waiting to see how El Ni+/-o
will affect supplies and prices of fish meal, with an especially
wary eye on the situation for anchoveta fish meal which originate
principally from Peru and Chile. According to the FAO, in 1995,
poultry farms accounted for 50% of global consumption of fish meal
followed by swine (25%) and aquaculture (15%).Water temperatures in
Peruvian anchovy fishing areas are running1.7-5.3 degrees above
normal. Reports from fisheries indicate anchovies are migrating
south to escape the warm waters, and Peru's loss may be Chile's
gain. However, anchovy fishing in Chile has been hampered by very
bad weather. Alternative sources of fish meal such as capelin meal
from Iceland and Denmark are much higher priced.In the July 1997
issue of Fish Farming International, decreasedanchoveta catches were
tabulated with previous El Ni+/-o events as follows: YearaIntensity
of El Ni+/-oa#Months% Change in
Catch1951aModeratea701953aWeaka601957-58aStrong11a01965aModeratea
6-18.31969aWeaka5-12.41972-73aStrong14a-55.51976aModeratea7-27.21982
-83aStrong10a-56.11987aWeak/Moderatea3-22.7a1991-92aModerate9a-23.8
It is forecast that fishing companies will hold onto their stocks of
fish meals and speculate on obtaining higher prices in the coming
months, which could mean sharply increased costs of fish and shrimp
feeds for aquaculture farmers in 1998.--Barry A. Costa-Pierce
.
22 SEPTEMBER. PERU: CLIMATE
The past week Puno had temperatures of 20 C (high for area) and no
rain. Arequipa had moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms.
Moderate rains on the coast between Atico and Camanss (Dept.
Arequipa) with some landslides. Amazonia, normally hot had above
normal temperatures. Light rains in Piura, but heavy rains in
Machala, Ecuador. In Lima, August was a warm month. September has
turned out to be cool (not cold) month with the typical "gar.a" or
light drizzle. However, we are having frequent constant light rain
all night and part of the day. The fishermen at Chorillos (just
south of downtown Lima) are practically out of work due to lack of
cold water fish. The same is true along most of the Peruvian coast.
Yesterday, Marcona (near Nazca) had more than 40 hours of drizzle
rain and has affected dirt roads and local houses not built for rain
in a desert coast where supposedly it never rains.The Servicio
Nacional de Meterologia e Hidrologia (SENAMHI) statesthat sea
temperature is 3 to 4 degrees above nor mal.
5 SEPTEMBER. WASHINGTON STATE: CLIMATE
Official report from Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife dive team:
"Divers encountered uncommonly warm water near Sekiu, with
temperatures as high as 61 degrees at a depth of 40 feet." Sekiu is
on the Washington coast at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Normal
temperature is 46 to 48 for this time--Hal Beattie
10 SEPTEMBER. ALASKA: FISH
I was on a halibut charter out of Homer a couple of weeks ago with
my brother and brother-in-law when we came across an Ocean Sunfish.
We were in the central part of Cook Inlet due west of Kachemak Bay.
Unfortunately, it didn't stay at the surface long enough for a
photo. We sighted the characteristic bullet-shaped blob with the
dorsal fin flopping at the surface. When we got to within 60 ft, it
dove and swam away using both dorsal and ventral fins. Here are the
specifics: 59 27.60 N, 152 38.14 W, Temp. = 57.2 F (from a Furuno
fathometer, no estimate on accuracy), Depth = 205 ft.--Robert Suryan
....
End of Part 1/2