In the past month, five whales have died around San Francisco Bay, prompting investigations by the Marine Mammal Center and the California Academy of Sciences. Four gray whales' necropsies revealed one possibly died from a vessel strike, while the causes of the others remain unknown. This year's mortality follows a significant die-off from 2018 to 2023, which saw 690 gray whales stranded. Scientists point to climate change affecting food sources in the Arctic as a potential cause and emphasize the need to monitor whale health as an indicator of ocean ecosystem issues.
They often are addressed and looked at as a sentinel for ocean health. When there's problems or a mass stranding event for these animals, we should be paying attention.
These gray whales had basically left the Arctic on their migration in 2019 with a half tank. We have seen some individuals turn into the bay.
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