Sam Liccardo
Bay Area congressmembers want the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to investigate why gray whale deaths in the region are at their highest in 25 years.
Led by Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-San Jose, congressmembers penned a letter Wednesday calling on the agency to provide information on theories for the reasons behind the deaths and if it has adequate staffing to investigate.
“Given the gray whales’ declining number, immediate, coordinated action is essential to prevent further losses and safeguard the long-term survival of these marine mammals,” congressmembers, some of which represent parts of Southern California, said in the letter.
Scientists this year have responded to at least 21 gray whale deaths in the region, according to the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center, the highest since 2000.
The latest whale, suspected of being killed following a vessel strike, washed up on July 7 in Richmond, the California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center said earlier this month.
The center has previously asked the public, including boaters, to be “whale aware” throughout the uptick in deaths.
Congressmembers also raised concerns about NOAA’s response to whale strandings becoming “increasingly delayed.”
“This raises questions about NOAA’s ability to meet its marine mammal conservation responsibilities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” the letter said.
NOAA said it would “work directly with our partners in Congress to respond to any inquiries they may have.”
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