Posted by Chris on January 25, 2002 at 13:24:25:
In Reply to: Moray Eels posted by seahunt on January 24, 2002 at 13:54:36:
I have seen many Morays in the last year.
My girlfriend and I saw two very large ones together with red crabs and bugs on the east end of San Clemente Island.
Since Lobster Season began I have seen them at Catalina, San Clemente, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and San Nicolas Islands, plus at Cortes Bank.
My most recent citing was one at 100+ feet at Arrow Point at Catalina, just a few weeks ago.
I also know there are also many more I never see.
Over the years of lobster hunting I have been bitten twice, both time without seeing them.
However there is no mistaking the vice like bite, pain, and shredded gloves and fingers.
Last year I observed a diver spear one on the front side of Catalina.
When the diver brought the speared eel aboard, at bit his ungloved hand and ripped his thumb wide open, ending the guys dive trip.
Although it is legal to spear Morays, I believe they should be a protected species.
I have also seen many horn sharks.
Early last October on the West end of Catalina, there seemed to be a horn shark in every hole I looked into for bugs.