Researchers count the whales as they return from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to the Baja Peninsula lagoons where they nurse their calves in the winter.
U.S. researchers say the number of gray whales off western North America has continued to fall over the last two years, a decline that resembles previous population swings over the past several decades.
According to an assessment by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries released Friday, the most recent count put the population at 16,650 whales — down 38% from its peak in 2015-16. The whales also produced the fewest calves since scientists began counting the births in 1994. An increase in the number of whales washing up on West Coast beaches prompted the fisheries agency to declare an “unusual mortality event” in 2019. Researchers are still investigating the die-off, but they say climate change and its effects on sea ice and prey availability and location are likely factors. Many, but not all, of the whales that washed up appeared malnourished.
The population recovered from the days of commercial whaling before a similar population drop of 40% occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gray whales were removed from the endangered species list in 1994.Download NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Seasonal peak in Arctic Ocean acidity could shift to the summerClimate change might alter seasonal cycle of Arctic ocean acidification.
Read more »
Arctic Weirding: After a 'Strange' Summer, Yet Another Late-Season Melting Spike Hits GreenlandThe Arctic has been beset by very warm temperatures in some places, along with extreme storms, and unheard of melt events heading into winter.
Read more »
The Forgotten Coast: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge of Southern Chukchi Sea Lagoon Ecosystems | ARCTIC
Read more »
Officials urge Western Alaska residents to prepare as another storm approachesStrong winds and coastal flooding are expected to hit Arctic communities hardest along the Chukchi Sea coast overnight and through Thursday.
Read more »
Scientists Concerned as Gray Whale Population Off Western US Continues to DeclineResearchers count the whales as they return from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to the Baja Peninsula lagoons where they nurse their calves in the winter.
Read more »