Video shows the whale floating off West Beach Road at North Sunset Beach.
OAK HARBOR, Wash. — A 19th gray whale has died in Washington waters this year, a record that points to threats to the population.
The whale was reported floating on the west side of Whidbey Island on Wednesday, according to Cascadia Research Collective. Video shows the whale floating off West Beach Road at North Sunset Beach.
The Island County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media the whale has since washed ashore.
The NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network was advised and will evaluate the whale. The sheriff’s office is waiting on NOAA’s decision on how to proceed.
Since March 2, Cascadia Research Collective has documented stranded gray whales found near Anacortes, Ocean Shores, Sequim, Deception Pass, Long Beach and other coastal areas in Washington. Cascadia Research Collective notes many of the whales died from malnutrition.
Cascadia Research Collective founder John Calambokidis previously told KING 5 that many of the whales appeared to have died from starvation, which biologists link to climate change reducing food supplies in Alaska and the Arctic.
Anyone who sees a stranded or injured marine mammal is asked to contact the marine mammal stranding hotline at 1-866-767-6114. Officials urge you not to approach the marine mammals.
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