Off the western coast of Vancouver Island, additional grey whales have been discovered dead, bringing the total count to seven fatalities for the year. Paul Cottrell, the marine mammal co-ordinator at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), was informed by a hiker and a pilot about two deceased grey whales during the past weekend. Expressing sadness over the situation, Cottrell mentioned the necessity to investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
In April, a distressing trend began when four grey whales were found lifeless on Vancouver Island within just a 10-day span. Cottrell described the condition of the whales as concerning, with their bodies essentially reduced to a skeletal state. Researchers attribute the deaths to a significant decrease in available prey in the whales’ Arctic feeding areas, leading to starvation as they migrate back north to feed.
With a total of 36 grey whale fatalities recorded in the Pacific Ocean this year, John Calambokidis, a research biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, expressed surprise at the alarming rate of discoveries. 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 expressed growing concern over the situation, highlighting that the current pace of whale deaths surpasses previous years, including the challenging year of 2019 when 216 grey whales were found dead during an unusual mortality event.
Collaborating with partners in California, Oregon, and Washington state, Cottrell emphasized the collective concern for the escalating mortality rates and declining population of grey whales. Anticipating additional whale fatalities as they continue their northward migration until June, efforts are underway to collect more data and assess the severity of the situation. The grey whale population, estimated to be just under 13,000, has been facing a decline in recent years. Individuals who encounter distressed marine mammals are encouraged to report such incidents to the DFO for assistance.
