Scientists respond to two additional gray whales in San Francisco Bay

Scientists respond to two additional gray whales in San Francisco Bay as frequent sightings continue

The whales mark the second and third found dead in the San Francisco Bay Area within a week

Scientists at The Marine Mammal Center and partners at the California Academy of Sciences can confirm that two additional dead gray whales have been found in the San Francisco Bay Area. The joint team plans to conduct a necropsy, or whale autopsy, on a gray whale at Angel Island State Park on Friday, April 4 at low tide to investigate one of the animal’s deaths. The additional gray whale, reported Friday morning off Fort Point Rock Beach in San Francisco, is currently in an inaccessible location caught in rocks just offshore. No timetable for response has yet been determined for that individual as it may continue to float with the tide.

The Center received reports of a dead gray whale floating east of Angel Island on Wednesday afternoon, April 2. A team of responders from the Center collected initial tissue and skin samples from a research vessel later in the day. The team identified the whale as an adult male and noted the carcass was bloated and in a state of advanced decomposition -- indicating it had been dead for some time.

The whale was resighted Thursday morning, April 3, and in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the whale was successfully towed and landed at Angel Island State Park. Advanced permission to land the whale was provided by State Park staff.

The Center received an additional report of a dead gray whale off Fort Point on Friday morning around 11 and confirmed its location shortly thereafter. The age class and sex of the individual is currently unknown.

“Our joint team is thankful to our partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their invaluable support to help tow and position this whale so that we are able to investigate this animal’s death,” says Kathi George, Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at The Marine Mammal Center. “There continues to be a significant number of gray whale sightings in San Francisco Bay as this species continues their northern migration to their arctic feeding grounds. With the bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increasing whale activity, it’s vital that all boaters, from large commercial vessels to sailboats, be whale aware and if you see a blow, go slow.”

George notes that in the past two weeks, multiple ferry operators in the Bay have taken action to avoid whales, including cutting their engines after spotting a gray whale to allow it to pass safely before resuming their routes. George adds that these efforts are the result of improved communication through the United States Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), ongoing collaboration within the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee, and the proactive actions of individual stakeholders.

For more information or to set up an interview on this topic, please contact us at media@tmmc.org.

For breaking news about our whale responses as well as additional press materials, bookmark MarineMammalCenter.org/whale-stranding.

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