
2019-2021 Gray Whale Unusual Mortality Event along the West Coast and Alaska
Since January 1, 2019, elevated gray whale strandings have occurred along the west coast of North America from Mexico through Alaska. This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
Since January 1, 2019, elevated gray whale strandings have occurred along the west coast of North America from Mexico through Alaska. This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
A gray whale found dead off Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California. Photo by Barbie Halaska, The Marine Mammal Center.
Gray Whale Strandings (as of December 31, 2020)
U.S. State | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|
Alaska | 48 | 45 | 0 |
Washington | 34 | 13 | 0 |
Oregon | 6 | 3 | 0 |
California | 34 | 18 | 0 |
Total | 122 | 79 | 0 |
Country | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | 11 | 5 | 0 | 16 |
U.S. | 122 | 79 | 0 | 201 |
Mexico | 81 | 88 | 0 | 169 |
Total | 214 | 172 | 0 | 386 |
A previous UME for gray whales occurred in 1999–2000. Below is a graph comparing 2019–2020 gray whale strandings to 1999 and 2000 strandings by month.