A researcher has raised concerns that the recent discovery of emaciated grey whales stranded on British Columbia’s coast may signal another unusual mortality event. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) reported three dead whales, two grey whales, and one minke whale, washing up on Haida Gwaii in the past month. One of the grey whales was found in Tlell on May 30, while the other was discovered in Naikoon six days earlier.
According to Juan Jose Alava, a researcher at Simon Fraser University, the current strandings may only represent a fraction of the total grey whale deaths, estimated to be between ten to twenty percent. The necropsies conducted on the two grey whales confirmed a concerning trend observed along the west coast of British Columbia and neighboring states.
The DFO noted that the poor body condition of the whales suggests malnutrition, likely due to a scarcity of prey during their migration. Alava emphasized the urgent need for action to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, pointing to the grey whales as indicators of the impact of climate change on marine health.
While over 200 grey whale deaths were recorded globally between 2019 and 2023, with a declared unusual mortality event during that period, Alava cautioned that it might be premature to declare a similar event this year. Approximately 29 dead grey whales have been observed in the region between British Columbia and Washington state in 2026.
The DFO highlighted a significant decline in the grey whale population, from approximately 28,000 in 2016-17 to around 13,000 currently. Marine mammal co-ordinator Paul Cottrell described 2026 as a challenging year for grey whales, with record numbers of deaths and poor calf production.
Collaborating with local First Nations, including the Haida Gwaii Watchmen, the DFO is conducting necropsies to understand the situation better. The Watchmen, who monitor the Gwaii Haanas National Park, provide crucial assistance and local knowledge in responding to stranded whales. Cottrell emphasized the importance of monitoring this trend despite the somber outlook.
Individuals are encouraged to report any sightings of distressed marine mammals to the incident hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
