There are concerns in the community
On the afternoon of April 5th, a whale was found stranded and decomposing near Costa Baja in La Paz. Dr. Jorge Urban, head of the Marine Mammal Research Program (PRIMMA) at the University of Baja California Sur, noted that multiple factors impacted this species’ mortality.
Dr. Urban explained, “This year, various factors converged that once again impacted the population. One of them is that we are in one of the so-called ‘Niña’ years, which means that the sea surface temperature is slightly colder.” This shift affects water temperatures, nutrient circulation, and the availability of food for marine species. As a result, whales, particularly gray whales, travel south in search of warmer waters for reproduction.
He pointed out that gray whales have been under stress recently due to the degradation of their feeding grounds. This situation has led to food shortages and decreased energy, making some whales appear thin and contributing to fatalities when they reach lagoons.
The “La Niña” phenomenon not only raises the death toll for gray whales but could also impact whale sharks. It is characterized by cooler surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, causing changes in weather patterns and nutrient availability for various marine species.
But also, whale strandings occur globally due to diverse factors. These include natural causes such as illness, injury, or aging, as well as human-induced issues like collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear. Potential impacts from offshore wind development may also play a role.
Some natural causes contributing to strandings include:
- Sick, injured, or weakened whales that become disoriented and unable to navigate correctly.
- Aging whales, which are more susceptible to illness and injury.
- Mothers struggling with childbirth, leading to stranding.
- Navigational errors, potentially worsened by human activities disrupting their echolocation.
- Changes in water temperatures and currents linked to climate change affecting migration routes and food resources.
- Some researchers suggest that shifts in feeding habits could also contribute to this phenomenon.