Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is currently looking into the demise of another grey whale in British Columbia (B.C.). The discovery of a deceased grey whale on a remote beach in Haida Gwaii on May 24 has prompted the DFO marine mammal response team to head to the scene for sample collection and to ascertain the cause of death. This incident marks the eighth grey whale fatality in B.C. this year, contributing to a concerning increase in deaths within the population, believed to be linked to starvation.
During a webinar hosted by the Marine Education and Research Society focusing on the challenges faced by grey whales, DFO marine mammal co-ordinator Paul Cottrell disclosed details of the most recent death. Cottrell expressed deep concern over the fatalities and hinted that the actual number of deaths might be higher than reported due to the vast coastline and remote areas where whales may not be discovered.
The ongoing year could surpass the previous worst year in B.C. when 11 grey whales were found dead in 2019, according to Cottrell. The response team has already dealt with four dead whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island within a span of 10 days this year, with samples collected and necropsies conducted on a significant number of them.
The results from the necropsies are expected to be available in approximately a month. Researchers have pointed out that the grey whales are succumbing to starvation as they migrate back to their feeding grounds, attributing the decline in available prey in the Arctic as the primary cause of these deaths.
The grey whale population, estimated at just under 13,000, has been facing a decline, with a total of 40 grey whales found dead in B.C. since 2019. Notably, in 2019, there was a sharp increase globally, with 216 grey whales found dead, leading to the declaration of an unusual mortality event.
Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society has urged provincial authorities to classify all grey whales as endangered in Canada for enhanced protection measures. This designation would facilitate legal actions, research funding, and educational initiatives to safeguard the species.