Giant School of Anchovies Temporarily Takes Over La Jolla Beach

The Scripps Institute reported and is investigating why a massive school of Northern Anchovy invaded the La Jolla area on Monday, July 7, 2014.

Scripps scientists have not seen such an aggregation in more than 30 years and it remains unclear why the unusually large school moved into shallow waters off the coast. The Scripps website says that “Members of the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection have collected samples for study.”

The anchovy school formed a dark band off the coast of La Jolla Shores stretching north past Scripps Pier.  According to the LA Times, Monroe, a communications officer with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, saw the unusual sight and raced to the pier with a GoPro camera, where he was able to get some amazing photos and video.

It has been reported that leopard sharks and seals in the area could be seen feasting on the fish. Much to their disappointment, it appears that the school has since moved on; they were first spotted Monday, but were gone by Tuesday evening.

 All photos from Scripps Institute of Oceanograpy