2025 The number of gray whale deaths in the San Francisco Bay area has reached 18, a nearly five-year high. Data from the California Academy of Sciences show that at least four gray whales have been killed by vessel collisions, with most carcasses unable to complete necropsies due to high levels of decomposition or geographic remoteness. Scientists have found that gray whale sightings in the Bay have surged from 6 in 2024 to 33, and that unusually high population densities have led to increased conflicts with commercial shipping. The Port of San Francisco is currently adjusting ferry routes and optimizing warning systems through drone monitoring, but environmental groups point out that “dynamic speed zones” are less than 30 percent enforced, and are calling for legislation to force all ships to slow down to less than 10 knots in sensitive areas.
Leave a Reply