Two Endangered Blue Whales Struck by Ships

Earlier this week, an ocean survey vessel reported feeling a “shudder underneath the ship” in the waters of northern California.  Soon after, a whale was spotted “bleeding profusely.”   A few hours later, an endangered blue whale washed ashore in a rocky cove in California.  According to reports, the apparent strike probably occurred about 7 miles from shore. 

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With two gashes on its back, the 70-foot female blue whale washed up on the shore near Fort Bragg, California.  One of the injuries was so deep it went down to the vertebral column.  The gash is estimated to be more than 8 feet long.  The whale appeared to be in good health otherwise. 
 
Due to the remote location, the whale will be left on the beach.  Skin and blubber samples have been taken and a flipper will be removed sometime this week for further examination. 

Earlier this month, another blue whale washed ashore in Monterey County after being hit by a ship.  In 2007, three blue whales were killed in ship strikes in California.  Once  considered an uncommon occurrence, ship strikes are now the main threat to blue whales, according to U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service marine biologist Joe Cordaro.

Blue Whales

 
Blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus, are not only the largest mammal, they are also believed to be the largest animal to have ever lived.  The bluish-gray whales can weigh up to 150 tons and measure up to 100 feet in length.  Females are larger than males. 

Hunted nearly to extinction, the blue whale is considered Endangered according to the IUCN Red List. The whale is also listed as “depleted” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.  Besides ship strikes, other threats to the magnificent mammal includes illegal whaling, habitat degradation, pollution and entanglement in fishing nets.  

Photos of the whale, taken by Larry Wagner, are available on CBS5.

Blue whale photo Fred Benko NOAA
 

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