Eastern North Pacific

Eastern North Pacific gray whales are a population of whales that migrate annually from breeding grounds in Baja California, Mexico, to feeding grounds in the Arctic. Historically, they were rarely seen in the San Francisco Bay, a busy shipping corridor along their migration route. However, in recent years, these whales have been increasingly observed in the bay, but not in a positive context. They are now dying there at alarming rates, prompting concern from scientists and the public. A recent study highlights this concerning trend, indicating a significant shift in the whales' behavior and health. Researchers are currently investigating the causes of these deaths, seeking to understand why the whales are lingering in the bay and why they are succumbing to fatal conditions. This situation is significant because it raises questions about the health of the whale population, the availability of food resources in their traditional feeding grounds, and the potential impact of human activities on their migration patterns.