In the San Francisco Bay area, six dead gray whales have been discovered over the past week, a concerning trend coinciding with an increase in whale sightings. From May 21 to Wednesday, when a whale was found at Point Reyes National Seashore, officials reported multiple discoveries, including two on the same day—one at Alcatraz and another at Point Bonita. The California Academy of Sciences noted that most cases did not undergo necropsies, and preliminary results for one whale remain inconclusive.
The cause of the deaths is currently unknown, raising questions about the unusual patterns. Giancarlo Rulli from the Marine Mammal Center indicated that this year has seen more live whale sightings in the bay—33 documented this year compared to just six in 2022—making it the highest annual rate in over two decades. Despite this, 14 gray whales and one minke whale have reportedly died in the area, with three confirmed to have perished due to boat strikes.
The reasons behind the increased sightings are under investigation, and researchers expect gray whales will stay in the bay for an additional one to two weeks before continuing their migration to Arctic feeding grounds. Historically prevalent in Northern Hemisphere waters, gray whales now primarily inhabit the North Pacific, traveling about 10,000 miles annually. These whales, which can reach lengths of up to 49 feet and weigh around 90,000 pounds, are known for their curiosity around boats but face significant threats from vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. The ongoing investigations aim to understand this year’s anomalies in whale behavior and mortality.
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