Video shows the whale floating near West Beach Road in North Sunset Beach.
OAK PORT, Wash. — A record 19th gray whale has died in Washington waters this year Point out threats to people.
The whale was reported floating off the west side of Whidbey Island on Wednesday, according to Cascadia Research Group. Video shows the whale floating near West Beach Road in North Sunset Beach.
The Island County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media that the whale had washed ashore.
The NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network has been advised and will evaluate the whale. The Sheriff’s Office is awaiting a decision from NOAA on how to proceed.
Starting from March 2, The Cascadia Research Collective documented Gray whale spotted stranded nearby Anacortes, oceanside citysequim, cheat pass, long beach and other coastal areas of Washington. The Cascadia Research Collective noted that many whales died of malnutrition.
Cascadia Research Collective founder John Calambokidis previously told KING 5 that many whales appear to be dying of starvation, which biologists have linked to climate change reducing food supplies in Alaska and the Arctic.
Anyone who sees a stranded or injured marine mammal is asked to contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114. Officials urge you not to approach marine mammals.
