This year has seen an unprecedented increase in gray whale activity in San Francisco Bay, with 30 sightings compared to just four last year. However, this has coincided with a troubling spike in whale deaths, with scientists confirming five gray whale fatalities, some likely due to vessel strikes. Concerns are growing as busy maritime traffic poses risks to these marine mammals. Local ferry services are now adjusting their routes to accommodate whale movements, highlighting the need for balance between marine life protection and shipping activity.
"This year we've had a tremendous amount of whales, and what we're seeing is an activity that I haven't seen in years," says Joe Nazar of San Francisco Whale Tours, with his whale finding dog, Bear.
"The Marine Mammal Center confirms that there's been the fifth death of a gray whale in San Francisco Bay," said Giancarlo Rulli of The Marine Mammal Center.
"We know at least one of these five was probable vessel strike. We also know that at least two were sudden deaths, which leads us to believe, potentially vessel strike."
"There are high-speed ferries that are literally stopping in their tracks to allow whales to pass ferries east of Angel Island, where a lot of the sightings have occurred in recent weeks."
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