Latest news with #CascadiaResearchCollective
Indianapolis Star
7 hours ago
- Science
- Indianapolis Star
Scientists find blue whales suddenly going silent. Why they think it's happening.
Changing ocean conditions making whale prey scarce are causing the mammals to stop singing, a recent study has found. Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Cascadia Research Collective and other national institutions spent six years monitoring the acoustic sounds of blue, fin and humpback whales off the California coast from July 2015 to June 2021, according to a study published in February. Researchers set out to determine whether the frequency of whale songs changed seasonally and whether that frequency was indicative of changes within marine ecosystems. As a result, scientists found the levels of whale songs among different species correlated with their ability to locate and consume prey. Marine biologists began the research in 2015, when a marine heatwave dubbed "The Blob" caused a large percentage of krill — teeny, shrimp-like creatures — to disappear. Humpback, blue and fin whales largely depend on krill as a primary food source. The heatwave disrupted ocean circulation patterns, which impacted the number of cold, nutrient-rich waters that support the small crustaceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This led to a scarcity of food supplies for fish, seals, penguins and whales. Additionally, increasing temperatures contributed to the spreading of a toxic algae bloom between 2015 and 2016 in the northeastern Pacific, leading to the most widespread poisoning of marine mammals ever documented. In 2015, NOAA confirmed a then-record 53 instances involving whales getting caught in fishing gear. The following year, the agency found 55 instances in which whales became entangled. As humpback whales can switch between feeding on krill and fish, like sardines and anchovies, they experienced the most positive song detection trend throughout the six-year study. However, blue and fin whales, which are larger than humpback whales, did not exhibit the same positive trend. The two species are more specialized in foraging for krill. With the declining prey population, they were forced to spend more time hunting, leaving little time for singing, researchers found. There is concern for similar patterns to continue as ocean temperatures continue to increase over time. Marine heatwaves also occurred in 2018 and 2019 during the summer months, when whales fatten up on krill to prepare for the rest of the year, according to NOAA. In a report issued in June, the agency revealed a steep decline in Pacific gray whales. A new count suggests there are about 13,000 gray whales, the lowest number since the 1970s. In 2019, there were about 20,500 gray whales. From 2019 to 2023, the species suffered from an Unusual Mortality Event that scientists say stemmed from localized ecosystem changes in Subarctic and Arctic feeding grounds. Gray whales rely on prey in the area but changes in the ecosystem caused widespread malnutrition, reduced birth rates and increased mortality. In other parts of the United States, there are signs that similar issues might be occurring. Earlier this month, a boat in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, struck a 26-foot-long minke whale that ventured into shallow waters. Preliminary necropsy findings indicated the mammal was thin with an empty gastro-instestinal tract and little digestive material present, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the organization that conducted the testing, found.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Science
- USA Today
Scientists find blue whales suddenly going silent. Why they think it's happening.
Changing ocean conditions making whale prey scarce are causing the mammals to stop singing, a recent study has found. Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Cascadia Research Collective and other national institutions spent six years monitoring the acoustic sounds of blue, fin and humpback whales off the California coast from July 2015 to June 2021, according to a study published in February. Researchers set out to determine whether the frequency of whale songs changed seasonally and whether that frequency was indicative of changes within marine ecosystems. As a result, scientists found the levels of whale songs among different species correlated with their ability to locate and consume prey. More time hunting, less time singing Marine biologists began the research in 2015, when a marine heatwave dubbed "The Blob" caused a large percentage of krill — teeny, shrimp-like creatures — to disappear. Humpback, blue and fin whales largely depend on krill as a primary food source. The heatwave disrupted ocean circulation patterns, which impacted the number of cold, nutrient-rich waters that support the small crustaceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This led to a scarcity of food supplies for fish, seals, penguins and whales. Additionally, increasing temperatures contributed to the spreading of a toxic algae bloom between 2015 and 2016 in the northeastern Pacific, leading to the most widespread poisoning of marine mammals ever documented. In 2015, NOAA confirmed a then-record 53 instances involving whales getting caught in fishing gear. The following year, the agency found 55 instances in which whales became entangled. As humpback whales can switch between feeding on krill and fish, like sardines and anchovies, they experienced the most positive song detection trend throughout the six-year study. However, blue and fin whales, which are larger than humpback whales, did not exhibit the same positive trend. The two species are more specialized in foraging for krill. With the declining prey population, they were forced to spend more time hunting, leaving little time for singing, researchers found. Pattern may continue as ocean temperatures rise There is concern for similar patterns to continue as ocean temperatures continue to increase over time. Marine heatwaves also occurred in 2018 and 2019 during the summer months, when whales fatten up on krill to prepare for the rest of the year, according to NOAA. In a report issued in June, the agency revealed a steep decline in Pacific gray whales. A new count suggests there are about 13,000 gray whales, the lowest number since the 1970s. In 2019, there were about 20,500 gray whales. From 2019 to 2023, the species suffered from an Unusual Mortality Event that scientists say stemmed from localized ecosystem changes in Subarctic and Arctic feeding grounds. Gray whales rely on prey in the area but changes in the ecosystem caused widespread malnutrition, reduced birth rates and increased mortality. In other parts of the United States, there are signs that similar issues might be occurring. Earlier this month, a boat in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, struck a 26-foot-long minke whale that ventured into shallow waters. Preliminary necropsy findings indicated the mammal was thin with an empty gastro-instestinal tract and little digestive material present, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the organization that conducted the testing, found. Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Huge 50ft beast from the depths of the ocean washes up on Oregon coast
A 50-foot giant from the depths of the Pacific Ocean has washed up on the Oregon coast. The massive creature - a 53-foot male sperm whale - was found ashore north of about 84 miles west of Portland, its barnacle-scarred body lay battered and still. According to a Facebook post from the Seaside Aquarium in Seaside, Oregon, the sprawling whale washed ashore between Del Rey and Sunset Beach on the afternoon of May 29. When marine experts discovered the beached behemoth, they said its 'spine showed signs of blunt-force trauma and hemorrhaging' consistent with a fatal collision at sea. A necropsy was conducted on Monday by the Cascadia Research Collective, the Seaside Aquarium and Portland State University to help in determining the whale's cause of death. 'During the necropsy, damage to the vertebrate was visible along with signs of hemorrhage. This helped the team determine that this whale was struck by a vessel,' the Seaside Aquarium said. However, the dead whale had been spotted long before it washed ashore. According to the aquarium, the whale was initially reported dead on May 25, around 15 miles offshore. Four days later, on May 27, it was seen again - this time only seven miles from land, according to the Seaside Aquarium. 'The whale will be left on the beach to decompose naturally,' the post added. The natural decomposition process offers a rare chance for beachgoers to witness one of the ocean's giants up close. It also provides a nutrition boost to the surrounding ecosystem. Scavengers such as turkey vultures, bald eagles and even coyotes will have access to the whale's remains for weeks or even months to come. The Seaside Aquarium has since warned onlookers not to touch the giant sea creature. The enormous whale's spine showed signs of blunt-force trauma and hemorrhaging consistent with a fatal collision at sea 'Please remember to look - but do not touch. Marine mammals may spread potential diseases to humans and pets,' the aquarium wrote. Male sperm whales can grow to nearly 60 feet in length and weigh over 40 tons. They are known to live up to 60 years, with males maturing around the age of 50, typically reaching about 52 feet. Their diet includes deep-water species such as squid, sharks, skates, and fish. While their population is slowly recovering, sperm whales remain listed as endangered.
USA Today
02-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Sperm whale found dead on Oregon coast believed to have been struck by vessel
Sperm whale found dead on Oregon coast believed to have been struck by vessel Show Caption Hide Caption Beached sperm whale is humanely euthanized Euthanasia for a whale washed ashore in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has been determined the "most humane option." An adult sperm whale washed ashore on the Oregon coast last week, and according to a necropsy conducted by researchers, it could have been hit by a vessel. According to a Facebook post from the Seaside Aquarium in Seaside, Oregon, the nearly 53-foot whale washed ashore between Del Ray and Sunset Beach some 84 miles west of Portland on the afternoon of May 29. But the dead whale had been spotted long before it washed ashore. According to the aquarium, the whale was reported dead on May 25, around 15 miles offshore, and then seen seven miles offshore on May 27. A necropsy was then conducted by the Cascadia Research Collective, the Seaside Aquarium and Portland State University, the post said. "During the necropsy, damage to the vertebrate was visible along with signs of hemorrhage. This helped the team determine that this whale was struck by a vessel," the post said. Officials continued, saying that the whale will be left on the beach to continue decomposing in order to provide "nutrition" to the local ecosystem. "This will provide not only an opportunity to see this large whale but also provide a nutrition boost to the local ecosystem. Scavengers such as turkey vultures, bald eagles, and even coyotes will have the ability to feed on this whale for quite some time," the post said. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Surprising' number of gray whale strandings in WA, alarming pattern for researchers
Gray whale strandings, which occur during the spring months when whales migrate past the Washington coast, are happening at a higher rate than this time in past years. The strandings began on April 2 when a female was found on the Long Beach Peninsula. Since then, six more dead gray whales have been documented in Washington state. 'The number of strandings this year is higher than we typically see at this point in the stranding season, sparking concerns about the recovery of the gray whale population after the Unusual Mortality Event (UME) that occurred from 2019-2023,' the Cascadia Research Collective said. The UME involved 690 gray whale strandings from December 2018 to November 2023, including 347 in the United States. Necropsy findings from a subset of dead gray whales found malnutrition as a common cause of death and did not identify underlying disease According to Cascadia Research Collective, this year, stranded whales have primarily been adults with evidence of malnutrition: loss of oil in the blubber layer, lack of internal fat stores, and no food in the stomach or intestines. An exception was a healthy whale that was likely the victim of a transient killer whale attack. Two of the deaths were human-caused. 'We expect more strandings in the coming weeks and will be working to examine as many as possible,' Cascadia Research Collective said. To report a large whale stranding in Washington, call Cascadia's stranding hotline at 360-791-9555. Any stranded marine mammal in WA, OR, or CA can be reported to the West Coast Stranding Network Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.
