Unusual record of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) feeding on anchovy (Engraulis mordax) in the fishery of small pelagic fishes in the Gulf of California

摘要

Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) range in North America from Japan to Mexico. Here we report the first record of a Pacific harbor seal feeding on Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) inside a purse-seine net of a sardine fishing boat in the Gulf of California. This event was recorded on video on January 11th, 2010, near Estero Tortuga, Guasimas, Sonora (27°50’N, 110°39’W). Sea conditions were of El Ni?o Southern Oscillation; this record was likely due to El Ni?o, forcing seals to travel beyond their distribution range in search of alternate foraging areas.