Grey Whale Welfare: Migration, Entanglement and Population Pressures

Grey whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal. Their welfare faces multiple threats including entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and ocean noise pollution.

Key Facts

Eastern Pacific grey whales migrate up to 20,000 km between Arctic feeding grounds and Mexican lagoon breeding areas
Grey whales are bottom feeders, using suction to filter amphipods and other invertebrates from sediment
Western Pacific grey whales are critically endangered with fewer than 200 individuals remaining
Entanglement in crab pot lines along the California coast kills dozens of grey whales annually
Ship strikes cause fatal blunt force trauma and are increasing as shipping traffic grows
Grey whale calves spend their first weeks in shallow lagoons before undertaking their first migration
Climate change is reducing Arctic sea ice and altering the benthic communities that grey whales depend on

Welfare Considerations

Grey whale entanglement in fishing gear causes prolonged suffering before death or severe injury. Whales dragging gear can swim for weeks with open wounds and increasing exhaustion before dying or being rescued. Ship strikes cause acute trauma that may be immediately fatal or cause lasting internal injuries. The cumulative welfare burden of migration, entanglement risk, and noise disturbance represents a significant challenge for individual whale welfare across their entire life range.

What You Can Do

Support ropeless fishing gear research and policy advocacy to reduce entanglement risk
Donate to whale disentanglement network organisations such as the Pacific Whale Foundation
Reduce seafood consumption, particularly from fisheries with documented bycatch of large cetaceans
Advocate for slower shipping speeds in grey whale migration corridors off the California coast