MBNMS Blue Minute

We have all experienced that being near water — large or small, fresh or salt- brings joy, playfulness, and peace. Think about the number of significant life events celebrated on the shores of an ocean or a lake. The ocean's calm and clarity can inspire curiosity and creativity. This has been referred to as the Blue Mind. Blue Mind is the emotional and physical wellness benefits from being in or near healthy lakes, rivers, oceans and water. According to J. Nichols, who coined this term, the Blue Mind is a calm state of mind that occurs when you are looking at the sea or swimming in it. A Blue Mind counteracts the "Red Mind" dominated by stress and the "Gray Mind" characterized by lethargy and burnout. These ideas are backed by neuroscience research on the effects of water and sensation on the human brain. So if you are feeling anxious, stressed or unhappy, get into the Blue and get your Blue Mind.  The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

Throughout the year, the robust waters of Monterey Bay provide plenty of tasty seafood and fishermen are hard at work to bring you delicious food for your holiday meals.  Typically, in December, the Dungeness crab season is open. Dungeness crab, also referred to as rock crab, is the most abundant crab fished in California. This crab was initially viewed as a 'waste product' in the 1800s but is now the West Coast's most valuable commercial fishery and brings in more than $170 million annually.  Each year, state agencies assess if the opening of the season should be delayed and this year it has been.  The delay allows  for migrating humpback whales to safely navigate along the California coastline without risk of entanglement in crab pots. These types of collaborative initiatives show how fishermen and state agencies can work together to protect our ocean treasures.  The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

Did you know that the largest animal on the earth passes through the waters of Monterey Bay? From June to October, blue whales migrate here to feed on krill, small shrimp-like crustaceans.  Blue whales can grow up to 90 feet long, which is about the length of three school buses. Monterey Bay is a world-renowned travel destination for abundant wildlife viewing, including humpback and gray whales, orcas, and Pacific white-sided dolphins.  If you're lucky, humpback whales can be seen right from the beach, leaping into the air. Also called breaching or spyhopping, it is believed that whales breach as a form of communication or for play. For their safety as well as yours, responsibly observe wildlife from a safe distance and do not feed or touch wildlife. The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

The majestic redwood forests of the Central coastline aren't the only forest ecosystem in our area. In the cold waters of Monterey Bay, kelp forests thrive. Giant kelp are large brown algae that can grow up to 18 inches per day, creating incredibly productive underwater forests.  They form important habitat for hundreds  of ocean animals and harbor a greater diversity of organisms than almost any other ocean ecosystem. They are also vital for supporting thriving fisheries on the West Coast. And did you know that kelp also captures carbon?—up to 20 times more than terrestrial forests—making it a crucial player in the fight against climate change. Kelp forests are declining due to a number of factors, but you can help protect these ecosystems by supporting organizations that are restoring these underwater treasures. The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

If you surf, dive or recreate in Monterey Bay, you may be sharing the water with one of the most majestic apex predators in the world, the White Shark.  The sanctuary is an extremely important destination  for White Sharks, also called great whites. Each fall, adult White Sharks migrate here to feed on marine mammals.  But don't worry, the chances of a shark encounter are extremely low. The odds of being attacked by a shark in the United States are around 1 in 11.5 million!  Adult White Sharks off California spend the winter in an area known as the White Shark Cafe located halfway between Hawaii and Baja. There is not much known about why they migrate there or what they do there, but researchers are tagging White Sharks to learn more. The increasing number of these sharks is a great sign that California has a healthy marine ecosystem and that protections in place are working.  The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

Did you know that you live adjacent to one of the largest national marine sanctuaries? Designated in 1992, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a protected marine area offshore of California's central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, it is larger than Yellowstone National Park. The sanctuary contains extensive kelp forests, one of North America's largest underwater canyons, and harbors an incredible variety of marine life. Called the "Serengeti of the Sea", this area of coastline is protected to ensure that this unique ecosystem continues to thrive. Your next adventure awaits you, so get into your sanctuary by kayaking, fishing, whale watching, or surfing. The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.

In the 1960s, when astronauts launched towards the moon for the first time, they made an unexpected discovery... Earth is Blue. We saw for the first time how vast our ocean, how fragile our planet, and how small and connected we appeared against the darkness of space. Since then our understanding of our one global ocean has grown immensely, and the more we learn, the more we realize, the ocean is our life support. Did you know that more than 70% of our planet is covered in water? We should all take a moment today to say Thank You Ocean, for food, water, air, jobs, medicine, and adventure. The ocean takes care of us, let's return the favor.