Daijiworld Media Network – San Francisco
San Francisco, Jun 1: In a puzzling and concerning development, six gray whales have washed up dead around the San Francisco Bay Area between May 21 and 26, bringing the total number of whale deaths in 2025 to 14, according to the California Academy of Sciences.
The discovery has triggered alarm among marine biologists, with officials struggling to identify a clear cause. Some carcasses were too decomposed or stranded in remote areas, making postmortem examinations impossible.
“In 2025, 14 gray whales and one minke whale have died in the greater San Francisco Bay Area,” the Academy said in a statement on Thursday. “Of the confirmed cases, three gray whale deaths are suspected to be linked to vessel strikes.”
This year’s whale mortality rate mirrors those during previous Unusual Mortality Events, recorded in 2019 and 2021, which saw 14 and 15 deaths respectively.
Adding to the mystery, researchers noted an unusually high number of whale sightings in the bay this year — 33 confirmed gray whales, compared to only six in 2024. Scientists suspect this may indicate changes in migratory behavior, possibly due to shifting oceanic conditions or food sources.
While investigations continue, experts believe the gray whales may linger in the bay for a few more weeks before resuming their journey to Arctic feeding grounds.
Marine scientists are exploring whether overcrowding or altered marine routes could be contributing to the deaths. “The reason they’re entering the bay in such large numbers remains unclear,” a researcher said. “But we suspect they might be adapting to changing ocean conditions.”
In a bid to prevent further fatalities, the Academy is working alongside the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee and the US Coast Guard to improve safety measures. This includes modifying ferry lanes and enhancing communication systems to alert boaters to the presence of whales.
The public is also being urged to stay vigilant and report any sightings or strandings to local marine authorities.