Gray whales are dying off the Pacific Coast again, and scientists aren't sure why.

Los Angeles Times - Apr 8th, 2025

Gray whales are experiencing a concerning rise in deaths, with at least 70 perishing since the start of the year in Mexico’s Baja California lagoons, an area traditionally known for calving and breeding. Marine scientists, including Steven Swartz, have noted the lowest-ever recorded number of mother-calf pairs in Laguna San Ignacio. Additionally, recent sightings in San Francisco Bay and the Los Angeles harbor reveal whales exhibiting signs of malnutrition. This troubling pattern echoes a 2019 unexplained mortality event investigated by NOAA, where food scarcity due to climate change was suspected as a major factor.

Contextually, these events highlight the broader environmental challenges faced by gray whales, including changes in Arctic food sources, increased pollution, and hazardous migration routes. Researchers remain vigilant, as the early stages of the current migration season make it difficult to predict if another mass die-off will occur. Factors such as La Niña conditions and altered migration patterns may be influencing current observations, but the situation underscores the fragile balance of marine ecosystems under climate stress and the need for continued monitoring and research.

Noaa Climate Change Marine Biology Marine Conservation Gray Whales Steven Swartz Unexplained Mortality Event Baja California Migration Patterns

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the ongoing gray whale die-off, supported by credible sources and expert insights. It effectively communicates the complexity of the issue, highlighting both observed phenomena and potential causes. The story is timely and of significant public interest, addressing broader environmental concerns. However, it could benefit from greater exploration of diverse perspectives and more explicit explanations of scientific methodologies. While the article raises awareness and prompts discussion, its impact on policy or societal change may be limited without actionable insights or recommendations. Overall, the article is a well-rounded piece that informs and engages readers about a pressing environmental issue.

Accuracy

The article provides a detailed account of the gray whale die-off, citing specific numbers and observations that align with known data, such as the 70 whale deaths reported in Baja California and the low number of mother-calf pairs in Laguna San Ignacio. The mention of malnutrition as a potential cause is supported by observations of skinny whales, a detail corroborated by experts. However, while the article accurately reports past events and current observations, it lacks definitive evidence for the causes of the current die-off, as the exact reasons remain unclear. The reference to a previous die-off from 2019 to 2023 and its association with climate change and food scarcity is also consistent with scientific findings, though the article could benefit from more recent data to confirm the ongoing situation.

Balance

The story presents a balanced view by including perspectives from multiple experts, such as Steven Swartz and Alisa Schulman-Janiger, as well as insights from NOAA and other research bodies. However, it predominantly focuses on the scientific and observational aspects, potentially overlooking other perspectives, such as those from local communities or industries affected by the whale migrations. The article could enhance its balance by exploring the socio-economic impacts of the whale die-off and including voices from different stakeholders.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey complex scientific information. It logically presents the sequence of events and observations, making it accessible to a general audience. The use of direct quotes from experts adds to the clarity by providing firsthand insights into the situation. However, the article could improve clarity by providing definitions or explanations for technical terms, such as 'unexplained mortality event,' to ensure all readers fully understand the context and implications.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including marine scientists with decades of experience, and organizations like the Marine Mammal Center and NOAA. These sources are authoritative in the field of marine biology and provide a strong foundation for the article's claims. The inclusion of specific experts lends credibility to the observations and interpretations presented. However, while the sources are reliable, the article could further improve by citing recent peer-reviewed studies or reports to substantiate the ongoing observations and hypotheses.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation, clearly attributing claims and observations to specific experts and organizations. It explains the basis for the claims, such as the observed malnutrition and low calf counts, and acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the exact causes of the current die-off. However, the article could enhance transparency by more explicitly discussing the methodologies used by researchers to gather data, such as drone imagery or direct observation, and by outlining any potential conflicts of interest among the cited experts.