There's a whale in Long Beach Harbor. Scientists helped it escape. It turned around, came back

Los Angeles Times - Apr 4th, 2025

Marine wildlife experts attempted to guide a young minke whale out of Long Beach Harbor, where it had been swimming for several days. The team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) removed booms and made noises to help direct the whale towards the harbor's opening. Despite their efforts, the whale swam out briefly but returned, prompting the team to pause and allow the whale another chance to exit on its own during quieter nighttime hours. Local crowds gathered to watch the whale, capturing the event with photos and videos.

This incident is not uncommon, as noted by Michael Milstein, a spokesman for NOAA, referencing past similar occurrences with gray whales in the area. Minke whales, the smallest of the baleen whale family, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The event highlights the challenges of marine wildlife management in populated areas and underscores the importance of public awareness and conservation efforts. The whale's presence has captured local interest, reflecting the community's engagement with marine life and environmental issues.

Noaa Conservation Wildlife Management Minke Whale Long Beach Harbor Marine Wildlife Experts Michael Milstein Marine Mammal Protection Act

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively reports on an unusual wildlife event, capturing the interest of readers through its focus on a minke whale's presence in Long Beach Harbor. It is supported by credible sources, such as the NOAA, which lends authority to the story. The clarity and structure of the article make it accessible, though it could benefit from more transparency about the reasons for the whale's behavior and the broader implications of such events. While the article engages readers interested in marine life, it could enhance its impact by incorporating diverse perspectives and exploring the ecological and social dimensions of the incident. Overall, the story provides a solid account of the event, with room for deeper exploration of the issues surrounding marine wildlife conservation.

Accuracy

The story provides a factual account of a minke whale in Long Beach Harbor. It accurately reports the whale's presence and the actions taken by marine experts to assist it. The claim that minke whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act is consistent with NOAA guidelines. However, the story lacks specific details about the whale's age and the exact reasons for its behavior, such as why it returned to the harbor after initially swimming out. These minor gaps slightly detract from perfect accuracy but do not significantly undermine the story's credibility.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the efforts of marine wildlife experts and the whale's situation, providing a limited perspective. It includes quotes from Michael Milstein of the NOAA, which adds authority but does not present alternative viewpoints, such as those from local environmental groups or the public. This singular focus may lead to a slight bias towards the official narrative, without exploring the broader ecological or social implications of such an event.

Clarity

The language used in the article is clear and straightforward, making it easy for readers to understand the situation. The structure logically follows the sequence of events, from the whale's presence to the actions taken by experts. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context about the significance of such incidents and the typical behavior of minke whales in similar situations.

Source quality

The primary source cited in the article is Michael Milstein from the NOAA, a credible and authoritative source for marine wildlife information. The NOAA's involvement lends significant reliability to the story. However, the article could have enhanced its source quality by including additional voices, such as independent marine biologists or local environmental organizations, to provide a more comprehensive view.

Transparency

The article provides clear information about the actions taken to assist the whale but lacks transparency in explaining why the whale entered the harbor and the potential risks it faces. The absence of detailed methodology about how the experts are guiding the whale or assessing its health limits the transparency. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting.