Two grey whales found dead in Alaska

Washington: Two grey whales were confirmed dead in Alaska on Monday, taking the total number of local grey whale deaths to 12 this year, the Alaskan regional office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries said.

The office said they received a report of a dead juvenile grey whale in waters south of Egegik, in Bristol Bay, last Friday.

"NOAA confirms 2 more dead grey whales in #Alaska. Total is now 12, after report Friday of a juvenile grey whale floating 10 miles south of Egegik, in Bristol Bay; and Sunday, report of male grey whale on Sitkinak Island, east of Kodiak Island," the office tweeted.

The Alaskan regional office said it did not have plans to take action at this time.

While scientists are currently exploring the possible causes of death, many suspect that the whales died from the lack of food.

NOAA Fisheries has said in earlier reports that elevated grey whale strandings have occurred along the west coast of North America from Mexico through Alaska since January 1, 2019.

As of June 21 this year, a total of 81 reports of grey whale strandings were registered in the US, with California state topping the list with 37 instances, followed by Washington state with 29 and Alaska with 10, according to the agency's data.

Last month, it called the growing number of whale deaths along the US west coast an "unusual mortality event." It said 167 grey whales have been found dead from Mexico to Alaska.