"CALIFORNIA CURRENT, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA, MAY 1998. On a 6-d cruise in waters overlying the shelf break and beyond, during the first week of May, repeating studies we have been conducting annually since 1985, we encountered the lowest marine bird and mammal densities of the entire study period. Lowest densities previous were last fall. As examples, we saw 3 Black-footed Albatross, when usually we would encounter several dozen at this time of year. Most abundant species was Sooty Shearwater, but only a few hundred (instead of thousands). Marine mammals were almost nonexistent; included were two dead fur seals. The 10 C isotherm was at about 100 m; usually at this time of year it is at or near the surface. There was virtually no thermocline and SST, around 14C, was warmer even than our last cruise in March." --David Ainley <harveyecology@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>.