The discovery of additional deceased grey whales along the western coast of Vancouver Island has brought the total count to seven fatalities this year.
Paul Cottrell, the marine mammal co-ordinator at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), mentioned that two dead grey whales were reported by a hiker and a pilot over the past weekend, prompting further investigation into the cause of death.
In a distressing trend, four grey whales were found dead off Vancouver Island in April within a span of 10 days, with Cottrell expressing concern about their emaciated body condition.
Experts attribute the deaths to a significant decrease in available prey in the whales’ Arctic feeding habitats, leading to starvation as they migrate back to their feeding grounds in the north.
With a total of 36 grey whale mortalities recorded in the Pacific Ocean this year, concerns are escalating among officials and experts. John Calambokidis, a research biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, expressed heightened alarm at the rate of whale deaths.
Cascadia Research Collective confirmed that 17 grey whales have been found dead in Washington state this year, with malnutrition being a common factor among the examined whales.
Calambokidis highlighted that the swift pace and volume of deaths this year are unprecedented, surpassing previous mortality records, notably the peak in 2019 during an “unusual mortality event.”
Notably, 10 grey whale fatalities have been confirmed in the San Francisco Bay Area by the Marine Mammal Center and the California Academy of Sciences, while NOAA Fisheries reported two dead grey whales off the Oregon coast.
Collaborative efforts are underway between DFO and partners in California, Oregon, and Washington state to address the escalating mortality rates and declining grey whale population.
Anticipating more whale fatalities during their northbound migration until June, Cottrell emphasized the importance of continued monitoring and data collection to assess the severity of the situation.
The eastern North Pacific grey whale population, estimated at just under 13,000, faces ongoing challenges with dwindling numbers.
Individuals witnessing distressed marine mammals are encouraged to report such sightings to DFO for prompt action.
