Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is examining the demise of another grey whale in British Columbia. The discovery of a deceased grey whale on a remote beach in Haida Gwaii on May 24 prompted the DFO marine mammal response team to travel to the site for sample collection and cause of death determination. This incident marks the eighth grey whale fatality in British Columbia this year, contributing to a concerning increase in deaths within the population due to apparent starvation.
During a webinar held by the Marine Education and Research Society addressing the challenges faced by grey whales, DFO marine mammal co-ordinator Paul Cottrell disclosed the recent death. Cottrell expressed alarm at the situation, highlighting that the actual number of fatalities is likely higher than reported due to the vast and isolated coastline, making it difficult to discover all deceased whales.
The current year may surpass the record set in 2019 when 11 dead grey whales were recorded in British Columbia. Cottrell mentioned that DFO has responded to four dead whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island within a span of 10 days, conducting full necropsies on four out of the seven sampled.
The results from these necropsies are expected to be available in approximately a month. Researchers attribute the deaths to starvation as grey whales migrate back north to their feeding grounds, citing a significant decline in available prey in the Arctic as a probable cause for the fatalities.
The grey whale population, estimated at just under 13,000, has been dwindling, with a total of 40 grey whales found dead in British Columbia since 2019. In 2019, a notable surge was observed with 216 grey whale fatalities globally, leading to the declaration of an unusual mortality event.
Amidst these challenges, Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society is advocating for the classification of all grey whales as endangered species in Canada to ensure their protection. Hildering emphasizes the need for legislative actions, research funding, and educational initiatives to safeguard these majestic marine creatures.
