INVERTEBRATES
Monterey’s Drifters
Monterey Bay’s waters are home to a mesmerizing variety of jellies, captivating divers with their ethereal beauty. Common species include the moon jelly, with its translucent bell, and the striking Pacific sea nettle, known for its long, flowing tentacles. These gelatinous creatures inhabit both nearshore and deeper offshore waters, often drifting with the currents. Jellies play crucial roles in the marine food web, serving as both predators of small plankton and prey for larger marine animals, contributing to the bay’s ecological balance.