This map of sea surface temperatures illustrates the new marine heatwave off the West Coast as compared with "the blob" of 2014-15. Darker red denotes temperatures farther above average.

Scientists spent years mapping where top ocean predators gather to feed in large numbers along the West Coast in an attempt to better understand the threats they face from humans.

NOAA fisheries are monitoring on the heat wave, named the "Northeast Pacific Marine Heat wave of 2019," with the goal of informing managers how the unusually warm conditions could affect their stocks.

West Coast marine heat wave arrives . Aug. 4, 2023 at 10:00 am Updated Aug. 4, 2023 at 10:00 am . By . Isabella Breda. Seattle Times staff reporter.

During recent marine heat waves, millions of gelatinous, pickle-like filter feeders washed up on West Coast beaches. Little has been understood about how the population explosion of the seemingly ...