Banged-up molas on the barge

[Merry]

As Phil reported yesterday, we encountered a small school of juvenile Mola molas on the barge. A high proportion of them had been mutilated by sea lions. I found that the intact molas were skittish, while the injured ones allowed a close approach, some even swimming directly toward me.

This mola is missing its dorsal fin.





Both the pectoral fin and dorsal fin are absent, with damage on the pelvic fin.









Dorsal and pelvic truncated.





This group seemed more curious than the ones we usually see. They came to check us out on the anchor line several times.









Scrippsia pacifica











Tritonia festiva on algae




The barge is loaded with little crabs, but I haven't figured out how to better isolate them from their background.





This tiny guy is wearing sponge!

 

[Peter_C]

All those shots are great, but the jelly really stands out to me

Mola frisbee!

 

[drbill]

A few months ago we had a number of juvenile Molas in the dive park with their fins torn off by the darned sea lions (five on one day alone). The marine mammals would toss the Molas around like frisbees. Rarely have I seen a bite out of a Mola, but I've seen plenty of dead or dying ones lacking fins.

 

[smellzlikefish]

Smashing shots! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Allison Finch]

I wonder if the fins regenerate? So sad to see them attacked that way. For some, a long and lingering death.

 

[drbill]

As far as I know the fins do not regenerate, and usually the fish die before that could occur if it even did. Without the fins they can't swim properly, therefore they can't feed. Here's a link to a column I wrote about munched Molas: Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column

 

[fnfalman]

Bad sea lions!!!

 

[drbill]

Bad sea lions!!!

In this respect they are very much like cats (which will kill for play) rather than dogs to which they are more closely related.

 

[tracydr]

Incredible pictures. Too bad nothing can be done for the poor molas.
Are their numbers endangered?
So, this barge dive. Is it only available by private boat? How deep is the barge and what area of S. Ca?

 

[Merry]

Are their numbers endangered?
So, this barge dive. Is it only available by private boat? How deep is the barge and what area of S. Ca?

I don't know if mola are endangered, but Milton Love writes that "in the Northeastern Pacific, mola are commonly taken as bycatch in offshore driftnets set for such species as swordfish."

The barge is 3/4 nm off the Redondo Beach breakwall, 84 feet at the sand, with ~12 feet of relief. The Giant Stride, out of Marina del Rey, is a private charter that visits the site. Phil would know other boats.