Gray Whales in San Francisco Bay Face Risks from Ship Strikes Amid Climate Challenges
Gray whales, once rare in San Francisco Bay, are now frequently spotted near Alcatraz Island as they adapt to shrinking food supplies in the Arctic caused by climate change. These whales, which undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, are stopping in the bay to feed during their journey between Mexico and Alaska. However, this adaptation has placed them in one of the busiest waterways in the U.S., increasing the risk of fatal ship strikes. Of the 16 gray whales observed in the bay this year, seven have died, with several deaths attributed to collisions with vessels. To address this, a coalition of marine scientists and local officials has implemented a new system using thermal cameras and artificial intelligence to detect whale activity and alert ships. The U.S. Coast Guard is actively using this data to warn vessels, aiming to reduce collisions and protect the declining gray whale population, which has halved in the past decade. 
