Journey North GrayWhale Migration

A Whale in the Harbor
March 18, 2009
March 20, 2009 Update
March 21, 2009 Update
March 29 Update

Photo Steve Zabel

In 2008 this baby gray whale was seen alone in an unusual location. More

In 2007, another young whale was in Santa Barbara Harbor for three weeks! >>

A gray whale first spotted on March 3 is making its temporary home near Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California. The Harbor Patrol is not sure of its age. They know it is not a newborn because it is feeding on its own, but the whale is pretty small in size.

Curious. . .or Lost?
The whale draws a crowd near Santa Barbara Harbor, but appears thin and weak. The 30-foot gray whale has been loitering and sporadically trying to feed for days near or within the entrance to Santa Barbara Harbor. It has been within 200 feet of the shore in water 20 feet deep.

The whale has had lots of human admirers but a close look reveals it to be thin and weak. "It's all ribs," said Capt. Mat Curto of the Condor Express, which runs whale watching tours from Santa Barbara. "It's not getting much food and does not look good."

The whale was still there on March 11, and people will worry until the whale is safely out to sea. Marine experts say they aren't sure why the whale has chosen the spot where it's currently hanging out, but a year ago a whale did the same thing (see photo above). Is it curious? Is it lost?

Laws Protect Whales
The whale at the entrance to the Santa Barbara Harbor is a big attraction, but anyone getting too close to it may be making a big mistake. Kayakers, jet skiers and drivers of pleasure boats have, at times, been crowding the Pacific Gray Whale while it is feeding. That could be a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Here are some of the guidelines put out by NOAA and established as regulations for most whale watching countries around the world:

UNITED STATES GUIDELINES FOR VIEWING MARINE MAMMALS BY PRIVATE BOATERS:
• Remain at least 100 yards away from whales, dolphins, porpoises and from seals and sea lions that are on land, rocks or ice.
• Do not crowd other whale watching vessels. When encountering other whale watchers, wait your turn at a distance, then approach cautiously after they have left the area. (2 vessels max recommended)
• Limit your viewing time with any individual or group of marine mammals to 1⁄2 hour
• While viewing marine mammals, you should ensure that your actions do not cause a change in their behavior
• Do not encircle or entrap whales between your boat and shore, or another boat and your boat. Always leave them an escape route.
• Avoid following behind or approaching directly in front of whales or other marine mammals. Vessels should attempt to parallel the whale’s course.

Journal or Discussion Question

How do the NOAA guidelines protect both the whale and the humans trying to get a closer look? Do you think such laws are important? Why?
What can scientists learn by paying attention to the condition and behavior of migrating whales?
Do you think the whale is curious or lost? Learn more about how whales navigate here.

March 20, 2009
"The whale is still in Santa Barbara Harbor," reports Michael H. Smith at the site of Gray Whales Count near Santa Barbara. "According to a respected whale-watching captain, it appears to be gaining weight. And, that is a good thing. It has been eating pretty steadily since it arrived, and it must be over two weeks now.

"We do not believe it is injured or sick, just hungry.

"Gray whales do eat opportunistically on migration, and some return to preferred areas year after year, and sometimes for extended periods. This whale has been photographed and the whale that was here two years ago for three weeks has been photographed. As far as I know, it has not been determined if they are the same whale.

"Santa Barbara Harbor is not large. It is quite small. Even though there are excellent viewing sites not in the water such as Stearns Wharf and Sand Spit, many folks want to be in the water — as close as they can get. This includes many kayaks (encouraged by the renters of kayaks), sail boats, small and large private power boats, whale watching vessels, an amphibious tourist boat/bus, and even (I have heard) swimmers attempting to get up close and personal. There are also several boats that are just coming and going in and out of the harbor: quite a traffic jam.

"Sure, it is a very dangerous for the whale, and it is very dangerous for the human-mosquitoes that may be flattened by an inadvertent fluke-swat.

"I have been told that two NOAA officers have been talking to concessionaires and advising them that it is illegal to harass marine mammals. No affect has been seen. I believe that the Harbor Patrol should take charge and they have not. Not good at all.

"Let's hope the whale gets enough nourishment to move on soon without incident. We want to Count it."

March 21, 2009: "Today, we saw one whale," reports Michael H. Smith at the site of Gray Whales Count near Santa Barbara. "Perhaps it was the one from Santa Barbara Harbor, which has left. Three cheers!!! On to Alaska!"

March 29, 2009:
Whale Leaves, Dredging Begins
Army Corps of Engineers Starts Dredging SB Harbor
Sunday, March 29, 2009
by BEN PRESTON

The unexpected guest which stayed for a while in the Santa Barbara Harbor — a 25-foot gray whale — finally departed, allowing the US Army Corps of Engineers to begin a scheduled semi-annual dredging of the Harbor's entrance channel. The whale, first seen in the Harbor three weeks ago and monitored by state, local, and federal agencies, has not been spotted by authorities since the 20th, prompting the Corps' decision to move forward with the $500,000 dredging project, which was supposed to have started on March 13. "NOAA Fisheries would like to thank everyone involved for the patience, cooperation, and coordination exhibited during our vigil while the whale was in the harbor," said Joe Cordaro, a NOAA Fisheries Service wildlife biologist.

The design of the harbor's inlet causes sediment from the littoral current to accrue in the channel, necessitating maintenance dredging twice per year. AIS Construction, the contractor hired by the Corps to perform the dredging operation, fired up cutterhead dredge La Encina Friday afternoon. "It seems as though everything worked out allowing the public to enjoy the whale's visit to our harbor and now the Corps can get started with the spring dredging operations," said John Bridley, the City of Santa Barbara's Waterfront Director.

“We enjoyed seeing the whale in the harbor like everyone else,” said Colonel Thomas Magness, Corps district commander. “I just want to commend the spirit of coordination and cooperation that helped inform our decision making. Now we need to get to work.”