MIGRATION THREATS

The Eastern North Pacific Gray has been touted as one of the success stories in US whale conservation history.

Since the turn of the  21st century,  Gray Whales has suffered many critical setbacks including a massive population collapse during 1999/2001 in which almost half the population died of starvation.  Questionable government methodologies and lack of adequate monitoring programs are putting the Gray Whale population at risk.

Here are some of the major threats:-

• Climate change.

• Oil and gas exploration and leases in Bering and Chukchi Sea feeding grounds.

• Noise from seismic operations.

• Military and non military sonar.

• 13 Liquified Natural Gas terminals planned along migration route.

• Bottom trawling.

• Pollution causing increased numbers of “stinky whales”.

• Wave Energy projects.

• Orca Predation causing mortality rates of up to 30% in some years.

• Lack of substitute prey. Gray Whales are specialist feeders, their principal prey (amphipod macrocephela) requires very cold water to survive.

• Changes in water column.

• Lack of regular and proper population monitoring.

• Collapsing calf count as evidenced in 2007 when the lowest mid calf count in 30 years in 2007 was recorded.

• IWC quota of 140 Gray Whales per year which is, based on current population analysis, unsustainable.

• Gray whales are the target species for an Aboriginal Revised Management Scheme being developed by the International Whaling Commision, (IWC).

• What this means is that the IWC Scientific Committee will soon set quotas for more Gray Whales to be killed by indigenous tribes based on deeply flawed and incorrect population estimates provided by the US Government.

• The Makah tribe are seeking a waiver under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow the tribe to kill Gray Whales.

• Failure of the Federal Government to provide adequate monitoring programs since delisting the species in 1994.
  
  

The California Gray Whale Coalition believes that the future survival of the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale is on the line  Resolutions demanding that the US provide proper protection for the Gray Whale by relisting the species under the US Endangered Species Act need to go before the Mexican Congress and the Canadian Parliament.

The CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE COALITION is dedicated to protecting the most ancient Baleen Whale on Planet Earth.

SIGN THE PETITION

"I request that the new US Congress take all necessary steps to fund a comprehensive review of all the major threats facing the California Gray Whale."

"A growing number of Gray Whales in the sub Arctic waters are contaminated. As bottom feeders, these whales are vulnerable to toxic pollution.  Recent data from our worldwide sampling of sperm whale blubber - The Voyage of the Odyssey - show that many whales are polluted to levels that make their meat unsafe for human consumption-a sufficient cause to discontinue whaling."

DR ROGER PAYNE

"The California Gray Whale is an indicator species of the sub Arctic and Arctic Oceans.   With major changes taking place in the polar marine ecosystems, ensuring ongoing research into the major threats facing these majestic whales is critical.  In the light of these changes, Gray Whales deserve the highest legal protection."

DR SLVIA EARLE




"Gray whales face many pressures, such as lack of food, coastal development and increasing ocean noise.  They need better protection."

JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU

"And God created the great whales
there in Laguna San Ignacio"

HOMERO ARIDJIS

"the possibility that we might drive these magnificent creatures into extinction is unimaginable and unacceptable."

DARYL HANNAH

"Life began in the sea.  So goes the whale...so goes mankind.  An effort to save the whales benefits us all."

BEAU BRIDGES

"Thanks for leading the fight to save
the Gray Whales"

ED BEGLEY JNR




"The Gray Whale is the marine mammal symbol of California.  It deserves to be protected and honored.  I support the creation of a "Whale of a Day" tribute to this magnificent animal."

PRINCE FREDERIC VON ANHALT

"The Gray Whale faces a myriad of threats from climate change to sonar testing and oil exploration. They need our help and the California Gray Whale Coalition is a leading advocate for this important keystone species."

PEDRO NAVA

"When we fully understand and begin to meet the threats to the California Gray Whale, we will be addressing the problems that face North America's entire Pacific coastal ecosystem."

LYNN WOOLSEY

"Saving the Gray Whales from extinction is an absolute must.  This magnificent, intelligent species cannot be allowed to perish from this earth.  If we ignore their plight we ignore the eventual impact on all species, including our own, of the rapacious practices of mankind."

SARA WAN

"Gray whales need our immediate attention! Due to climate change, their Arctic food supply is diminishing and the numbers of mother-calf pairs on the long migration are the lowest in years."

DICK RUSSELL

Grateful thanks to Baja Eco Tours for these images.