Asbury Park, NJ – Whale and dolphin watchers in Monmouth County have been treated to a spectacular show each day this week as pods of dolphins and humpback whales feed just offshore.
They have been chasing large schools of bunker just off the coast from Belmar to Asbury Park for most of the week, giving fishermen on boats and on the shore a front-row seat.
The whales are often seen chasing the fish, jumping out of the water as the bunker jump into the air to try to escape from being the catch of the day.
The majestic creatures, typically calm and elusive, have not been camera shy. Local Facebook groups, such as one in Asbury Park are chock full of sighting photos.
Unfortunately for the fishermen, the whales earlier this week were the only ones catching any fish, as reports of schools of bunker are running up and down the coast.
On Sunday, large tuna were seen chasing the bunker just outside the Shark River Inlet, breaching the water just off the jetty.