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Current Cetacean News
Our ACS-LA Board posts current cetacean news on our Facebook page and the most recent articles can be found on this page. Keep up-to-date by coming back often! And if you are on Facebook, follow us!
American Cetacean Society - Los Angeles Chapter (ACS/LA)
Founded in 1967, the American Cetacean Society protects whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions.
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Commemorating 40 Years, Gray Whale Census
On Dec. 1st, 2024, Alisa Schulman-Janiger was recognized for her 40 years of dedication as Director and Coordinator of ACS-LA’s Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project by the Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes, John Cruikshank. The ACS-LA Board was joined by Census citizen...
2025 Annual Summertime 8 hour whale watch on the Condor Express
Painted Cave, Santa Cruz Island
Photo credit: Patty Farrell
2024-2025 Gray Whale Census Summary
Gray Whale Census Team with our whiteboard displaying our final counts for this season. Clockwise, L to R: Joyce Daniels, Ben Tyrrell, Terri Bidle, Gerrie Teague Cole, Carla Krysiak, Iva Maes, Gregg Gentry, Stacey Patterson, Erlinda Cortez, Kim Hoch, Cynthia Woo, and...
2023-2024 Gray Whale Census Summary
Photo of Alisa Schulman-Janiger at our Gray Whale Census location on the bluffs behind the Palos Verdes Interpretive Center. Photo by Dave Janiger. ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, 2023-2024 Update: we documented very low gray whale counts, few...
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Oh Baby! Meet little southern resident killer whale L130, who was spotted with L Pod on June 14th! The Center for Whale Research scientists are still trying to confirm who the mom is; this often takes a few encounters to determine, as other orcas often babysit calves. This baby is estimated to be 1-3 months old; note the exquisitely unique shape of this beauty's right eyepatch!
Three calves have been born within the past 8 months: one each for J Pod, K Pod, and now L Pod! Every calf is a reason for hope for this endangered population, which is now up to 76 orcas. Welcome to the world, little one!
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🎉 ACS-LA is proud to announce the recipients of our 2025 Research Grants! 🎉
Congratulations to Sarah Perryman, recipient of the John Heyning Research Grant, and Dr. Kevin Bierlich, recipient of the Bill Samaras Research Grant.
Sarah, an M.Sc. candidate at San José State University and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, is studying seasonal and sex-based differences in the diet of Risso’s dolphins in Monterey Bay. Her research will help improve our understanding of how these fascinating dolphins use resources and adapt their foraging strategies throughout the year.
Dr. Bierlich, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, is using drone imagery and genetic sampling to better understand gray whale population structure along the Pacific Coast. His work will provide valuable insights into the relationships between different gray whale groups and help inform future conservation efforts.
Supporting cetacean research has long been a core part of ACS-LA’s mission, and we are honored to help advance projects that contribute to the conservation and understanding of whales and dolphins.
Please join us in congratulating Sarah and Kevin on their outstanding work! We look forward to following their research and sharing updates with our community.
🐋 Learn more about our grants program at the link in our bio.
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This Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom article on gray whales features an interview with our ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project's Director, Alisa Schulman-Janiger, along with some of her favorite gray whale images.
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Up Close with Gray Whales | Wild Kingdom
www.mutualofomaha.com
Discover how one researcher’s decades-long bond with gray whales reveals their intelligence, social behavior and the urgent threats behind their decline.1 CommentsComment on Facebook
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Happy World Oceans Day! Humpback whale lobtailing in Monterey Bay; ID: CRC-15585. happywhale.com/individual/689
The theme for UN World Oceans Day 2026 is "Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean".
This year’s theme encourages people to change how they see and care for the ocean, shifting humanity from passive beneficiaries to active guardians of its future. The long-term conservation goal is: "Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet". This action theme aligns with recent international commitments such as the High Seas Treaty: to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030
To learn more about how you can participate or to get involved in local events, visit the United Nations World Oceans Day or World Ocean Day organization
There are many ways that you and your family can get involved! Learn more at these links: 🌍 🌊🐋🐳🐬
worldoceanday.org/
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DEEP DIVERS! Marine mammals can hold their breath for long periods primarily because of two specialized proteins abundant in diving mammals that help store oxygen: hemoglobin and myoglobin. When marine mammals dive, their lungs collapse. They store oxygen in hemoglobin molecules in their blood, and in myoblobin in their muscles. Cetaceans rely mainly on muscles for oxygen storage; pinnipeds (like seals) rely on blood oxygen storage. This is very different from humans: we rely mainly on our lungs and our blood to store extra oxygen.
*Infographic and caption content, by @lowcountry.marine.mammals ... See MoreSee Less
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