Auction Ends: Mar 13, 2015 01:00 AM PDT

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Live Auction Only! EcoRights Boat Tour - Explore the Monterey Submarine Canyon

Item Number: 457

Estimated Value: 400 USD

Live Event Item

This is a Live Event Only item.

Item Description

One of a kind experience for up to 6 people - Snacks and drinks provided

The Monterey Canyon is the largest and deepest submarine canyon in North America, and one of the few canyons that bisects the coastline so close to shore. Due to coastal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water, this region is extremely biologically productive, with one of the highest diversities of marine mammals in the world. Twenty-six species of marine mammals have been observed here, including five species of seals and sea lions, the southern sea otter and 94 species of seabirds.

Our exploration begins at Moss Landing, the head of the canyon. As we cruise west, the canyon floor drops precipitously to over one mile deep, and we are floating over topography comparable in size and shape to the Grand Canyon.

Every cruise over the canyon is different, but we are guaranteed to see an abundance of life. Gray Whales migrate within three miles of the coastline. Sea Otters and Harbor Seals rest and feed within the kelp forest. Harbor Porpoise and Bottlenose Dolphins occur year-round in the shallow sandy shelf region. Minke Whales feed nearshore on juvenile rockfish and other schooling fish over shallow rocky bottom regions. Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins, Northern Right Whale Dolphins, Common Dolphins, and Dall's Porpoise occur near the canyon edge and beyond into deep water regions. Seabirds migrate here by the millions to feed on the Bay's rich food sources.

The EcoRights research and education boat “Sevengill” is a 27-foot Boston Whaler. Snacks and drinks will be provided. For comfort and visibility, the timing of the exploration will be dependent on weather and sea conditions.