The west coast of Vancouver Island has witnessed the discovery of additional deceased grey whales, raising the total count to seven for 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. Cottrell expressed sadness at the situation and emphasized the need to investigate the causes behind these deaths.
In April, four grey whales were found dead off Vancouver Island within a span of just 10 days, sparking concerns within the scientific community. Experts, including Cottrell, highlighted the emaciated state of the whale carcasses, attributing the deaths to a lack of available prey in their Arctic feeding grounds. This scarcity of food is leading to starvation as the whales make their way back north.
The total count of grey whales found deceased in the Pacific Ocean this year has reached 36, as reported by authorities. John Calambokidis, a research biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, expressed his surprise at the rate at which dead whales are being discovered, underscoring his growing alarm at the situation. Cascadia Research Collective has confirmed 17 grey whale deaths off Washington state this year, with malnutrition being a common factor among the examined whales.
Calambokidis noted that the current pace of whale deaths surpasses previous years and expressed concern about the future trajectory. 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. Cottrell mentioned collaborative efforts with partners in California, Oregon, and Washington state to address the escalating mortality rates and declining population of grey whales.
As the migration season continues until June, Cottrell anticipates more deceased whales to be discovered. The grey whale population, estimated to be just under 13,000, has been facing a decline. Individuals who encounter distressed marine mammals are encouraged to report such incidents to the DFO for further assistance.