Combined 2019-2020 gray whale strandings compared to 2009-2010 UME.

Why are Gray Whales Stranding?

Full or partial necropsy examinations were conducted on a subset of the whales. Preliminary findings in several of the whales have shown evidence of emaciation. These findings are not consistent across all of the whales examined, so more research is needed.

As part of the UME investigation process, NOAA has assembled an independent team of scientists to coordinate with the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events to review the data collected, sample stranded whales, consider possible causal-linkages between the mortality event and recent ocean and ecosystem perturbations1and determine the next steps for the investigation.

1Northeast Pacific and US West Coast: NOAA/SWFSC Environmental Research Division

1Alaska: NOAA/RISA Team-Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy

AOOS 2019 Summary Bering Sea Report

Map of gray whale strandings along the west coast of North America through Jan 10, 2020.

Report a Stranded or Floating Whale

The most important action someone can take is to immediately report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal. Make the report by calling in California, Oregon or Washington the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network: 1-866-767-6114, in Alaska the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network: 1-877-925-7773, and in Canada, the British Columbia Marine Mammal Response Network 1-800-465-4336.

You can also contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. Do not approach or touch injured or dead marine mammals.

All marine mammals are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Only local and state officials and people authorized by NOAA Fisheries may legally handle live and dead marine mammals.

Additional Information