Emaciated grey whales washing up on B.C. beaches 'canary in coal mine,' researcher warns

The trend of deadened emaciated gray whales washing up on B.C.'s coastline this yr could potentially be an indicator of another unusual mortality case, a researcher warns.

Three dead whales have washed up on Haida Gwaii in the last month, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), including two malnourished grey whales and one minke whale. The minke is believed to have died from a killer whale predation event.

One grey whale was found dead on a beach in Tlell on May 30, and another was found in Naikoon six days before that. 

“I think this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Juan Jose Alava, a researcher and professor at the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University.

Alava focuses on the impact of pollutants on marine mammals.

“The truth is, these only represent about ten to twenty per cent of all the total grey whales that actually die. Many of them [don't] make it to the beaches or shorelines,” he said.

Both grey whales on Haida Gwaii have been necropsied, according to the DFO, and the findings confirm the trend officials have been seeing along the west coast of British Columbia, along with Washington state, Oregon and California. 

The body condition of the whales was poor, suggesting malnutrition and consistent with the other grey whales necropsied this year, the DFO said. 

The whales are starving as they migrate and return north to feeding grounds, and there has been a large decline in available prey in the arctic. Alava said this should be serving as a call to action for local governments to work to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

“This is a signal that the grey whales are the canary in the coal mine,” said Alava. “They are telling us that climate change is impacting the health of our oceans.” 

Since 2019, there has been an unusual spike in deaths for grey whales, where over 200 were found dead worldwide. An unusual mortality event (UME) was declared from 2019 to 2023. 

It might still be too early to declare a UME this time around, said Alava, but there’s been approximately 29 dead grey whales observed between B.C. And Washington state this year alone,

“We don’t know the numbers from Mexico yet,” he said. “How many are washing ashore there? How many in the Oregon coast or California coast?”

The most found in one year in B.C. Was 11, and nine have already been discovered this year.

The DFO says the population of grey whales has decreased dramatically since 2016-17, where a peak of approximately 28,000 were recorded. That number is down to about 13,000. 

“Unfortunately, we are at a record-setting pace.” 

Calf production this year is at “the worst level ever recorded,” he added. 

As they work to understand the trend, the DFO has been collaborating with local First Nations on the necropsies, including the Haida Gwaii Watchmen. The Watchmen act as guardians for each site in Gwaii Haanas National Park. 

Due to the isolated locations, they are able to alert the DFO when a whale washes up and provide local knowledge, transport and other assistance.

“It's really sad seeing these animals, but it's so important to get these samples to figure out and watch this trend,” said Cottrell.

“Hopefully we get a turnaround, but in the short term, it doesn’t look like it.”

If you discover a dead, injured, tangled or distressed marine mammal you are encouraged to call the incident hotline at 1-800-465-4336.

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