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Gray Whale Census
Today’s Count
ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project Update, Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, 27 March 2025: 15 northbound GRAY WHALES, including a megapod of TEN whales! We watched our first GRAY WHALE for over an hour; it was very emaciated, with a huge dip behind its head instead of a raised fat pad, protruding vertebral column, and bulging rib cage. A small boat approached the whale while the whale was milling underwater; it passed outside the whale as the whale surfaced, then it dove for 7 minutes before resuming its previous slow moving behavior with frequent surfacings. Another solo skinny gray whale lingered near our transect. It slowly trended south, then turned around and slowly headed north. Our last sighting was large tight group of what appeared to be 5 GRAY WHALES: offsite independent drone operators captured footage confirming that there were actually TEN adult grays! They did tail slaps and at least 15 breaches: 3, then 2, then 5, and later 5 more! We watched them for over an hour, as they spread out a bit and headed offshore. We also spotted 7-12 FIN WHALES, COMMON DOLPHINS and multiple small groups of coastal BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS. (Summary by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
*Video today, of our gray whale megapod and including 4 BREACHES: by offsite independent drone operator Mauricio Tassara (@emptydrone)
Gray Whales Today:
Southbound: 0
Northbound: 15
Total: 15
Gray Whales to date (since 1 Dec)
Southbound: 118
Northbound. 309
Total: 427
Southbound calves: 0
Northbound calves: 0
#acsladailycount
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This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May, on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project
This full season shore-based gray whale census has operated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula since 1984. Trained volunteers spot and track Pacific gray whales on their annual migration, recording counts and behaviors. They also identify and record other marine mammals seen. This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May.
Research Grants
Every year, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society awards scientific research grants to researchers or students studying cetaceans.
Travel Awards
Every other year we give out Travel Awards to help aspiring cetacean researchers attend both the American Cetacean Society's International Conference and the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference.
Whalewatch Program
Sponsored in collaboration with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, ACS-LA trains volunteers (college age and up) as naturalists to accompany whale watching adventures on boats that departing from local landings December 26 through March, educating the public about the whales, dolphins, and marine life that live off our coast. Naturalists also give presentations in classrooms and to groups.
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