SAN FRANCISCO, California – The west coast from Mexico to Alaska has seen an unusual increase in the number of gray whales washing ashore since 2019, with more than 600 reported strandings. This is a significantly higher number than the occasional strandings that occur in a typical year, and some of the beached whales have been abnormally thin.
Scientists, including Sue Moore of the University of Washington, have been studying the issue to understand the cause behind this unusual phenomenon. Moore explains that gray whales primarily feed in the Arctic during the summer, consuming small arthropods that reside on the ocean floor. However, changes in the distribution and abundance of these bottom-dwelling creatures are starting to impact the gray whales’ food source.
The shifting mix of species and declining population of ocean floor-dwelling animals can be partly attributed to the changing climate. Specifically, the melting sea ice is affecting the Arctic ocean currents, limiting the ability of arthropods to build their homes in the sediment. This, in turn, affects the growth of algae, which serves as food for these creatures.
As a result of these changes, gray whales in some areas have been forced to seek alternate food sources, such as krill. However, there is still a need for more research to definitively link these changes in food sources to the increased mortality rate of gray whales. Nevertheless, it highlights the challenges that even large marine mammals face as they try to adapt to the warming world.
The situation with the stranded gray whales underscores the complex and profound impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need to better understand and address the far-reaching consequences of environmental changes on wildlife. The study of these beached whales presents an opportunity for scientists to gain valuable insights that can inform conservation efforts and help mitigate the negative effects of climate change on marine life.