After nearly five years of investigation, a comprehensive study has determined that the “unusual mortality event,” which led to the deaths of thousands of gray whales, has finally come to a close.
The Fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that between December 17, 2018, and November 9, 2023, approximately 40% of the eastern North Pacific gray whale population experienced a significant decline.
However, recent findings indicate that the event has concluded for the overall population. This development signals a critical juncture for the species, suggesting a rebound from the previous losses.
The decrease in population was largely attributed to alterations in the gray whales’ Arctic and Subarctic feeding habitats, resulting in malnutrition, reduced birth rates, and heightened mortality rates. Deborah Fauquier, a veterinary medical officer at NOAA Fisheries, lauded the species’ historical resilience, remarking, “We know the population has shown remarkable resilience in the past. We will closely monitor their recovery process.”
The recent cessation of this mortality event brings optimism for the recovery of gray whales. Despite the population’s decline from an estimated 20,500 in 2019 to 14,526 by 2023, the uptick in calf production observed in the last year serves as an encouraging indicator of progress.
