Sund Rock Low O2 Mon Sept 27th
While some of this may appear normal to non-Pacific NW divers, it is most certainly NOT normal. Fish are out of their usual depth ranges (usually found deeper) and all clustered within 15 feet of the surface of the water. They are up so high in the water column because this is the only area that contains oxygen. There are also freakishly huge schools - we don't usually see that many at once. Fish that normally hide were found out in the open, lethargic and "panting". See comments under each photo or video for details. Each video clip is about one minute or less.
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Now in 11 feet of water, I see two lethargic and "panting" Wolf Eel. Usually not seen in the open like this, they hide in caves under rocks, and are usually found below 40 feet. Up in the water column are many small Quillback rockfish - also highly unusual. Normally you'd only see a few, and they usually stay close to rocky structure and kelp in 60 ft or deeper water, not swimming out in the open in the shallows like this. You can see some sitting on top of a rock.
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