Tag: whales

California Coastline Teems with Whale Skeletons

A whale fall recorded off the Coast of California. (Photo: Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAA)
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In the depths of the ocean, when a whale dies, its carcass sinks to the seafloor, creating a unique and rich ecosystem known as a whale fall. Recently, scientists have discovered an extraordinary number of these whale falls off the coast of Los Angeles—over 60 skeletons, a number that surpasses the total found worldwide since 1977. This remarkable density of whale falls has turned the region into a hotspot for marine biologists and ecologists eager to study these deep-sea oases. A recent video (2019) from the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus captured the excitement as scientists came upon a whale fall on the Davidson Seamount off California.

(The Davidson Seamount, which we have written about before, is a hotbed of biological activity, a deep sea oasis of life, providing habitat for millions of creatures, including the famous gathering of brooding ocotpus (Muusoctopus robustus) known as the Octopus Garden, seen in video here.)

Photo: Ocean Exploration Trust

Whale falls provide a dramatic example of how death can foster life. When a whale carcass settles on the ocean floor, it becomes a feast for a variety of marine creatures. Initially, scavengers like hagfish, sharks, and crabs strip the soft tissues. Over time, the remaining bones support a succession of organisms, including bone-eating worms called Osedax, which bore into the bones and extract lipids. These processes can sustain life for decades, creating a complex and dynamic micro-ecosystem.

The discovery off Los Angeles is attributed to several factors. Detailed surveys of the area have been conducted, coupled with the region’s oxygen-poor waters, which slow decomposition and preserve the skeletons longer. Additionally, the lack of heavy sedimentation ensures that the whale bones remain exposed and easier to find. However, the proximity to busy shipping lanes raises concerns about the potential role of ship strikes in the high number of whale deaths.

Blue whale (Photo: Erik Olsen)

Eric Terrill and Sophia Merrifield, oceanographers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, led surveys in 2021 and 2023 to assess waste spread across 135 square miles of seafloor in the San Pedro Basin. This area, twice the size of Washington, D.C., and located about 15 miles offshore, was used as an industrial dumping ground in the early to mid-1900s. Many of the objects discovered during the survey were barrels containing the banned pesticide DDT and its toxic byproducts.

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Researchers consider it unlikely that the toxic waste and discarded weapons in the area are causing whale deaths. Instead, the high volume of ship traffic is a probable factor, as this area might see more whales killed by ship strikes compared to other regions. The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, the two busiest in the United States, are located just northeast of the study site, with shipping lanes spreading throughout the area. Additionally, thousands of gray whales migrate through these waters each year, and blue whales regularly feed here, John Calambokidis, a marine biologist with Cascadia Research Collective, a nonprofit in Washington State, told The Atlantic.

Blue whale off the coast of Los Angeles (Photo: Erik Olsen)

Whale falls are crucial not only for the biodiversity they support but also for their role in carbon sequestration. When a whale dies and sinks, it transfers a significant amount of carbon to the deep sea, where it can be stored for centuries. This process helps mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The impact is not huge, but scientists say it is significant.

The size of whales plays a significant role in the extent of these ecosystems. Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, are now seen regularly off the coast. The population of blue whales off the coast of California (as well as Oregon, Washington and Alaska) is known as the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population. This group is one of the largest populations of blue whales globally and migrates between feeding grounds off the coast of California and breeding grounds in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. Their massive bodies provide an abundant food source, supporting a greater diversity and number of species at whale fall sites.

(It should be noted that many articles and Web sites regularly claim that blue whales often reach 100 feet or more. That is false. It is unlikely any blue whale over 80 feet has plied California waters in modern history. John Calambokidis told California Curated that the persistent use of the 100-foot figure can be misleading, especially when the number is used as a reference to all blue whales.)

Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) 

As many who spend time along the shore know, the waters off California are home to a variety of whale species, including blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales, and fin whales. Blue whale populations, although still endangered, have shown signs of recovery due to conservation efforts. Humpback whales, known for their acrobatic breaches and complex songs, undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling between feeding grounds in the Arctic and breeding grounds in Mexico. Fin whales, the second-largest whale species, are also present in these waters, though their populations are also still recovering from historic whaling.

The newfound whale falls off Los Angeles offer a unique opportunity to study these deep-sea ecosystems in greater detail. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding the succession of species that colonize these sites and the overall impact on deep-sea biodiversity. Furthermore, studying whale falls can provide insights into the health of whale populations and the broader marine environment.

The discovery of whale falls in the deep sea reveals the remarkable interdependence of life in our oceans. These massive carcasses, sinking silently to the ocean floor, become rich oases that sustain a diverse array of creatures—from giant scavengers to microscopic bone-eating worms. This cycle of life and death highlights the ocean’s intricate balance, where even in the darkest depths, every organism contributes to a larger, interconnected web. Gaining a deeper understanding of these hidden processes is vital, not just for the sake of marine conservation, but for preserving the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

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A Deep Dive into the World of California’s Orcas: Majestic Ocean Predators

The marine ecosystem of California is both vibrant and diverse, boasting an array of majestic creatures, from the smallest microorganisms to the most massive marine mammals. One of the ocean’s most iconic inhabitants, the orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca), has attracted a significant amount of fascination and intrigue due to its striking appearance, formidable hunting abilities, complex social structure, and enduring presence in human culture.

In May, an uncommonly large grouping of orcas for Northern California — around 20 to 24 animals — was spotted by a whale-watching tour off the coast of San Francisco, likely gathered together to celebrate a successful hunt for sea lions or seals.

“I screamed ‘orca!’” Michael Pierson, an Oceanic Society naturalist leading the tour, told KTLA “those distinct dorsal finds poking out of the water.”

“It was really, really special,” Pierson said.

In June, a crowd of 30 killer whales met for a whale party in California’s Monterey Bay. Observers said they did belly flops into the water, slapped the waves with their flukes and spumed water from their blowholes, surprising marine biologists who had never seen the animals engage in such playful behavior for such a long period.

“Just like kids that are in a park, they get excited and play with the other kids and may be more active,” said Nancy Black, a marine biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch and the director of the California Killer Whale Project. “The little ones were wrestling and rolling like a bunch of puppies.”

An astonishing video last May showed a group of 30 orcas attacking two grey whales near Monterey. “We were able to observe the unique hunting strategies of the pods and the rarely seen defensive strategies of the two Grays,” Monterey Bay Whale Watch said. “The battered gray whales eventually made it to shallow water, and the orcas broke off.”

Black’s California Killer Whale Project has spent thirty years cataloging the killer whales that spend time in Monterey Bay. The group is able to recognize many of the whales by their spotted markings and the common tail notches.

The whales are rarely seen further south of Monterey, but another whale-watching tour off the coast of Southern California spotted a pod of killer whales last April, just off Newport Beach. The viewing included a rare glimpse of a three-year-old albino calf named Frosty due to its white appearance. (The white skin of the whale may not be albinism, per see. Several known conditions cause certain animals, including orcas, to look white. One condition is the extremely rare leucism, which is a genetic condition that causes the unusual coloring and the pigmentation of the skin to be paler. The other is Chediak-Higashi syndrome, an inheritable immune deficiency that can cause partial albinism.)

Jumping Orca

The term “killer whale” is a bit of a misnomer. Killer whales are actually dolphins and the largest species of the family Delphinidae. An adult male can typically grow up to 26 feet long and weigh up to 6 tons, while females are typically smaller. That said, The largest recorded male killer whale was 9.8 m (32 ft.) in length and weighed 10,000 kg (22,000 lbs.) The largest recorded female was 8.5 m (28 ft.) and weighed 7,500 kg (16,500 lbs.). They are known for their distinctive black and white coloration, with a dark dorsal side and a lighter ventral side. The tall, triangular dorsal fin of a male orca, which can reach heights of up to 6 feet, is a distinguishing characteristic.

Orcas are warm-blooded mammals, with an impressive ability to regulate their body temperature even in the cold waters off California’s coast. Their thick layer of blubber not only insulates them but also acts as a reservoir of energy when food is scarce.

Killer whales are top predators and display a diverse diet, although their food preference varies depending on the population. They are known to feed on fish, squids, seals, sea lions, and even other whales. In California waters, salmon, particularly Chinook, is a crucial part of their diet, but they also consume marine mammals such as sea lions and seals.

In orca societies, females generally choose the mates. Gestation lasts for about 17 months, with females giving birth every 3 to 10 years. The mother-calf bond in orcas is remarkably strong, often lasting for a lifetime. Orcas are known for their complex social structures, including matrilineal groups comprising grandmothers, mothers, and their offspring.

Killer whales are found in oceans worldwide, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. In California, they are most frequently sighted in Monterey Bay, the Gulf of the Farallones, and along the northern coast near the Oregon border. They migrate following their prey, and their appearance in California waters often aligns with the migration of gray whales, a favorite prey species.

Orcas have been popular in human culture, depicted in indigenous art, folklore, and mythology. Their image was catapulted into the modern mainstream by the 1993 film “Free Willy.” Yet, their captive display in marine parks like SeaWorld has sparked controversy and fueled a significant shift in public perception towards marine mammal captivity. The 2013 documentary “Blackfish” shed light on the stressors faced by these magnificent creatures in captivity, leading to policy changes and declining popularity of such exhibits.

Orcas are not typically dangerous to humans in the wild, and there are very few documented cases of wild orcas attacking people. However, tragic incidents involving captive orcas and their trainers have occurred, which some attribute to the psychological stress of captivity.

Despite their wide range and lack of natural predators, orcas face significant threats due to human activities. These include pollution, overfishing of their prey, habitat degradation, and noise disturbances. In some parts of the world, orcas are hunted for their meat and blubber.

A female resident orca whale breaches while swimming in Puget Sound near Bainbridge Island, Wash., as seen from a federally permitted research vessel. The National Marine Fisheries Service has finalized rules to expand the Southern Resident orca’s critical habitat from the Canadian border down to Point Sur, Calif., adding 15,910 square miles, (41,207 square kilometers) of foraging areas, river mouths and migratory pathways. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

All killer whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Southern Resident population is listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The majesty and power of the orca have undeniably earned it a special place in human imagination and culture. Yet, it’s crucial to understand and respect these creatures in their natural habitat, to learn from them, and to work towards preserving the marine ecosystems they call home. California’s orcas are a testament to the incredible life thriving in our oceans, a life we must commit to protecting.