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Whale Deaths on Track to Make 2026 Among Deadliest Years on West Coast
OAKLAND, Calif.— At least 51 whales have died along the West Coast already this year, according to an analysis of public data and media reports by the Center for Biological Diversity. If whale deaths continue at this rate, 2026 could rank among the deadliest years for West Coast whales — second only to 2019, when a record-setting 122 whales died.
Gray whales make up most of the documented cases, and many of the whale deaths have been in Washington and the San Francisco Bay Area.
“Far too many whales are dying along the West Coast, and ship strikes and other human activities are contributing to this deadly surge,” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We know we can save whales by slowing ships down in whale hot spots, so federal officials need to make it happen. It’s truly tragic to see dead whales washing up on the beach, and we need these magnificent creatures to keep the ocean healthy.”
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