Scientists: Gray Whales Making Comeback

A nearly five-year study has concluded that an “unusual mortality event,” wherein thousands of gray whales died, has ended.

According to the Fisheries branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), during an event from Dec. 17, 2018, to Nov. 9, 2023, scientists estimate that in one population — the eastern North Pacific gray whales — roughly 40% experienced a decline.

But now, scientists are saying that with respect to the population as a whole, the event has ended. This marks a pivotal moment for the species, suggesting a rebound from the losses.

The decline in population was primarily attributed to changes in the gray whale’s Arctic and Subarctic feeding grounds, which resulted in malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality. Deborah Fauquier, a veterinary medical officer at NOAA Fisheries, praised the species’ historical comeback, stating, “We know the population has demonstrated strong resilience in the past. We will be watching to ensure we know how the whales recover.”

The recent end of this mortality event brings hope for the gray whales’ recovery. With a noted decline in the population from an estimated 20,500 in 2019 to 14,526 by 2023, the increase in calf production in the last year is a positive sign.