Gray Whale Strandings Rise Along Pacific Coast Amid Food Scarcity
Gray whales along the Pacific Coast are experiencing a troubling year, with 122 strandings or deaths reported from Mexico to Canada as of May 2026. This figure, while not the highest on record, mirrors the alarming trends observed between 2019 and 2023, when federal investigations were launched. The primary cause appears to be malnourishment, linked to disruptions in their Arctic feeding grounds caused by warming waters and reduced sea ice. In California, 20 gray whales have stranded or died this year, a decrease from 30 in 2025 but an increase from 10 in 2024. Oregon has recorded eight strandings, a record for the state. Researchers have also observed unusual feeding behavior, with 16 gray whales spotted in San Francisco Bay, a location they historically avoided before 2018. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation as a potential super El Niño and sustained marine heat wave loom, further threatening the species' resilience.