LML Stranding Network

On June 4th and 5th, Marine mammal stranding responders from the Marine Mammal Stranding Networks at UC Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory and San Jose State’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in partnership with the City of Pacific Grove, CA State Parks, Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, NOAA Fisheries, and other local partners worked closely to respond to 2 reported Humpback Whales discovered less than 10 miles apart in Monterey Bay.

🐋 The first whale stranded dead on a sensitive beach in Pacific Grove, while a second juvenile humpback whale was then discovered dead in Watsonville the following day.
The two young male whales showed no obvious signs of vessel strikes or other species-caused mortality (orca etc.)
The first whale in Pacific Grove had a confirmed Happy Whale ID (HW-MN0504057) while the Watsonville whale ID is pending.

🦠 After testing f***l contents, both whales tested positive with Domoic Acid (a neurotoxin produced by Harmful Algal Blooms- HABs) in their system. Learn more about Domoic Acid and HABs through the Marine Mammal Center’s website as well as the CDC website.

⭐️ We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as responders work to safely manage these strandings, protect sensitive coastal habitats, and advance our understanding of the challenges facing whale populations along the West Coast.

☎️ Report any dead marine species in Santa Cruz County to our hotline (831)212-1272.

Skulls for Schools is a proposed initiative by the Long Marine Lab Stranding Network to bring marine science to local K-12 classrooms. We have a well-established library of marine mammal skulls and fur, which we aim to use to inspire the next generation of scientists to be passionate about conservation, anatomy, and physiology. We plan to partner with Santa Cruz County school districts with our curriculum, which meets NGSS standards to get students excited about marine mammal health. Help support our Skulls for Schools initiative by donating during this Spring Give through April 12. https://givingday.ucsc.edu/giving-day/88695/department/88762