2026 on pace to be one of deadliest years for West Coast whales Play

This may be one of the deadliest years on record for whales being struck by large ships off the California, Oregon and Washington coast.

The Center for Biological Diversity says at least 51 whales have died along the West Coast so far this year. At this rate, 2026 would rank second only to the year 2019, when a record 122 whales were reported dead.

Gray whales account for the majority of the deaths. Many of them have been struck by ships near the San Francisco Bay Area. Others have been tangled in fishing nets, choking or starving slowly to death.

The oceans director at the Center for Biological Diversity says, "We know we can save whales by slowing ships down in whale hot spots, so federal officials need to make it happen."