Seven grey whales have been discovered dead off the west coast of Vancouver Island, adding to the total count for this year. Paul Cottrell, the marine mammal co-ordinator from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), mentioned that two dead grey whales were reported by a hiker and a pilot over the weekend. Cottrell expressed sadness over the situation, emphasizing the need to investigate the cause of death.
In April, four grey whales were found dead off Vancouver Island in a span of just 10 days, sparking concerns. According to Cottrell, the condition of the carcasses was extremely poor, with the whales appearing emaciated. Researchers attribute the deaths to a significant decrease in available food in the whales’ Arctic feeding areas, resulting in starvation during their migration back north.
A total of 36 grey whale deaths have been recorded in the Pacific Ocean this year. John Calambokidis, a research biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, expressed surprise at the rate of whale fatalities, stating his increasing alarm. Cascadia Research Collective confirmed 17 dead grey whales in Washington state this year, all exhibiting signs of malnutrition.
Calambokidis noted that the current pace of whale deaths surpasses previous years, raising concerns about the future. The worst year for grey whale deaths was in 2019 during an “unusual mortality event,” with 216 fatalities. The Marine Mammal Center and the California Academy of Sciences reported 10 grey whale deaths in the San Francisco Bay Area, while NOAA Fisheries confirmed two dead grey whales off the Oregon coast.
DFO is collaborating with partners in California, Oregon, and Washington state to address the escalating mortality rates and declining grey whale population. Cottrell anticipates more whale casualties as they migrate northward until June. Efforts are ongoing to collect data and assess the severity of the situation. The grey whale population, estimated to be just under 13,000, has been steadily decreasing.
Individuals witnessing distressed marine mammals are encouraged to report such incidents to DFO.
