wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3914
Registered: 2-9-2004
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2026 - An unusual year for grey whale deaths
Here are two articles about the "alarming statistics about gray whales, declaring a “catastrophic mortality event” along the West Coast as
strandings escalate dramatically this year." Worrisome.
By Shannon Handy / CBS8 / July 8-9, 2026
Researchers reveal alarming statistics about gray whales, declaring a “catastrophic mortality event” along the West Coast as strandings escalate
dramatically this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a staggering 145 gray whales have been found stranded dead on the
West Coast, including regions in Mexico and Canada, marking a significant increase that could make 2026 one of the deadliest years on record for these
marine mammals.
The current stranding rate starkly contrasts with the previous two decades, where the average number of stranding per year was around 43 from 2006 to
2023. In 2025, the number surged to 179, raising further concerns among scientists and conservationists.
Miyoko Sakachita, from the Center for Biological Diversity, indicates that starvation is a leading factor in these whale deaths. She attributes the
lack of food to climate change, particularly the warming of the Arctic, which has adversely affected the whales’ food supply during their summer
feeding months. “The sea ice melt has made it so there’s not as much prey,” Sakachita said.
The second major issue impacting gray whales is ship strikes. According to Sakachita, while 24 whales were reported to have been hit by ships last
year just along the California, Oregon and Washington coasts, scientists believe this is a significant undercount, estimating that around 80 whales
may die each year in the Western U.S. due to such encounters.
In a related effort, on Wednesday, researchers and students from UCSD: Scripps Institution of Oceanography conducted a skeleton excavation of a whale
that was struck by a ship in San Diego Bay two years ago. Dr. Margaret Morris, who helped lead the excavation, revealed the severe injuries sustained
by the whale, noting, “Some of the vertebrae are fractured in half, and these are big bones, they’re very sturdy.”
The purpose of the excavation project is educational, with goals to create 3D models of the bones for teaching purposes and eventually articulate the
skeleton for display to raise awareness about the dangers posed by ship strikes.
As part of ongoing efforts to protect gray whales, the Center for Biological Diversity is suing the Coast Guard to lower ship speeds in areas with
high whale activity. The organization also calls on lawmakers to take stronger action against climate change as gray whale populations have reportedly
declined by 50 percent over the past ten years. “We’re really concerned about the future of these gray whales,” Sakachita expressed. [AND]:
https://orionmagazine.org/article/unusual-mortality-event-gr...
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7587
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Apparently, global warming is reducing the gray whale population due to warming in the Arctic Ocean and subsequent reduction in prey. Not only are
malnourished mature whales dying during their migration, but fewer calves are being born in the Baja lagoons.
"Total calf production of ENP gray whales has been low since 2019, which marked the start of an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for gray whales on the
west coast of North America. The most recent estimate of calf production was 85 calves in 2025, which is the lowest estimate of the time series. While
ENP gray whales have experienced previous periods of low calf production, the duration and extent of the decline that began in 2019 exceed those of
earlier periods and suggest that the population may be adjusting to previously unencountered shifts in the Arctic ecosystem."
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/gray-...
I recently read that seabirds along the West Coast are also dying in larger numbers because warmer waters are driving their food source, anchovies and
sardines, into deeper, cooler water.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 650
Registered: 6-4-2012
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As a positive, small as it is, I read a report recently about gray whales
that had been observed feeding along their way back to the arctic off
of the northwest coasts of Oregon and Washington.
It appeared they are expanding their feeding choices to replace what
melting ice sheets cannot sustain.
Historically they are known to self regulate their populations.
I am not any kind of authority, just a lover of the whale magic I have
witnessed on the lagoon waters for the last decade and more.
I hope they can expand their food sources in times like these.
They have before.
Now back to the experts.
This is Baja Nomad at its finest. Thanks all.
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