Holey Mola

[MaxBottomtime]

The surface looked good enough to check out a new reef off Honeymoon Cove this morning. The water was green but visibility looked promising. Once again, the ocean broke its promise. Poor visibility on the reef gave me lots of backscatter-filled photos to choose from today.

Before dropping into the gloom we saw a Mola Mola jumping out of the water several times. Several minutes into the dive I saw Merry looking up. There was a Mola Mola just above her with some serious propeller damage. As I was framing a shot in the viewfinder another mola swam into the frame.

We made a second dive on Merry's Reef. On our previous dives her we found Sunstars everywhere. Kevin and I tried to remove one stuck in a lobster trap but it was unwilling to let go. Today we founs several Sunstars, or rather former Sunstars. They have been through a Bass-O-Matic and dropped back onto the reef. Bat stars had a field day.

Visibility was about twelve feet with lots of particulates suspended throughout the water column.

 

[fnfalman]

Have you ever seen the adult mola mola while diving?

It seems like I only see the baby mola mola while diving.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

These were about 2 1/2 feet diameter. We've seen some over three feet at the Redondo Barge. Last month we saw a huge one, almost five feet on the surface. Nothing like this...

 

[Steve_C]

Different coast but I have talked to several divers who have seen adults off the coast of NC. I have seen them fishing but not yet while diving.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I found an article from NatGeo. It seems to be happening along the west coast of North America.

• Sea stars dying off

 

[tracydr]

I heard about the wasting disease in sea stars. I guess its getting really bad in N.CA.

 

[keithbt]

""Have you ever seen the adult mola mola while diving?

It seems like I only see the baby mola mola while diving."""

We see adult (6ft)Mola Molas all the time when crossing from Huntington Harbor to the Island. I always want to put my gear on and jump in with them but I never have.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[keithbt]

Nice!

 

[thez_yo]

Nice stars! I'm sad to hear about whatever disease is going around though.