Scripps scientists report rare, massive anchovy school

A giant school of anchovies off the coast of La Jolla, Calif. (Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

Scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography sighted a massive school of anchovies off the coast of La Jolla, Calif. in early July, according to GrindTv. The school was so large that it appeared to look like an oil slick.

Once spotted, oceanography graduate students dived into the waters with a GoPro camera to take video above and below water. They recorded one of the largest schools of anchovies to ever appear so close to shore.

Temperature readings near the shore revealed the anchovies were swimming in some of the warmest water they’ve been reported in, 74 degrees. Some of the fish were also collected so that they could be studied, but scientists aren’t sure they’ll ever know why the school appeared so close to shore.

Image: A giant school of anchovies off the coast of La Jolla, Calif. (Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography)