Biology
26 species of marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions, are known to frequent the waters of the sanctuary. In addition, Cordell Bank is one of the most important feeding grounds in the world for the endangered blue and humpback whales; these species travel all the way from their breeding grounds in coastal Mexico and Central America to feed on the krill that aggregate near the bank. Another unique species is the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), which can be seen in large numbers. Other visitors include California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), all of which are attracted to the abundance in krill, squid, and juvenile fish. Leatherback Sea Turtles also inhabit sanctuary waters.
Cordell Bank is also a major foraging ground for passing seabirds. Known as the "Albatross capital of the world," 5 of the 14 major species of albatross have been documented there. The two most common are the Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus). It is also one of the few places to see a Short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), which is extremely rare; the species was thought to have gone extinct after World War II. Currently the world population hovers at around 1000 individuals.
Cordell Bank is also known for its abundance of fish. Flatfish, most notably sanddabs, make their home on the mud of the seafloor in the sanctuary. Both solitary and schooling fish find refuge for predators among the bank's rocky pinnacles. Cordell Bank supports more than 246 species of fish, including 44 species of rockfish, ranging in size from the 8-inch Pygmy rockfish to the 3-foot (0.91 m) Yelloweye rockfish.
Although far from shore, sport fishers prize Cordell Bank as a fishing spot, and regularly venture out from shore to catch albacore and salmon.
Read more about this topic: Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
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