Off the coast of Vancouver Island, additional gray whales have been discovered dead, bringing the total to seven fatalities this year. Paul Cottrell, the marine mammal coordinator at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), confirmed that two deceased gray whales were reported by a hiker and pilot during the weekend. Cottrell expressed sadness over the situation, emphasizing the need to investigate the cause of death.
Earlier in April, four gray whales were found dead within just 10 days on Vancouver Island, sparking concerns. Cottrell described the whales as emaciated, highlighting the distressing state of their bodies. Researchers attribute the deaths to a significant drop in available food in the whales’ Arctic feeding grounds, leading to starvation as they migrate back north.
The discovery of 36 dead gray whales in the Pacific Ocean this year has raised alarm amongst experts. John Calambokidis of the Cascadia Research Collective expressed growing concern over the escalating rate of whale fatalities, particularly noting the common factor of malnutrition in the examined carcasses. The situation is reminiscent of 2019 when 216 gray whales died in an unprecedented mortality event.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that 17 gray whales have been found dead off the coast of Washington state this year, all showing signs of malnutrition. Calambokidis emphasized the unprecedented frequency of these deaths, highlighting the need for immediate action to address the concerning trend.
Collaboration among agencies in California, Oregon, and Washington state is underway to address the escalating mortality rates and declining gray whale population. Cottrell anticipates more whale deaths as they continue their northward migration through June. The dwindling gray whale population, estimated at just under 13,000, calls for vigilance and reporting of any distressed marine mammals to the DFO.