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Gray Whale Census
Today’s Count
ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project Update, Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, 25 May 2026: although we did not spot any GRAY WHALES, we did watch other whale species just one mile offshore on this last day of our 42nd season! The tall blow and long dark back of a probable FIN WHALE appeared in a group of COMMON DOLPHINS that was feeding on a fish boil. A HUMPBACK WHALE blew and arched up next to another group of COMMON DOLPHINS that was feeding on a fish boil. The small back of a likely MINKE WHALE popped up just outside of that same fish boil; 45 minutes later, a MINKE WHALE surfaced just inshore of that fish boil, and we watched it for the next 30 minutes as it foraged back and forth in that area. Over our first 7 hours, we observed more than a dozen groups of foraging COMMON DOLPHINS in fish boils (with thousands of associated birds) as they trended west across our field of view! The wind picked up in the afternoon, with frequent whitecaps and plunge-diving pelicans that made it difficult to spot and track cetaceans (although the wind calmed later).
*NOTE: we ended our 42nd season with our second lowest southbound gray whale count (214; last season was our lowest, at 130), a new record low northbound gray whale count (445), our eleventh lowest southbound calf count (17, much better than last season's ZERO count), and our fourth lowest northbound calf count (16 - which exceeds last season's record low count of 8). Our southbound calf percentage was 7.9% (17/214), compared to 0% last season. Our northbound calf percentage was 3.6% (16/445); last season, it was 1.6% (8/485). The highlight of this season: more gray whales calves - cautious optimism!
Thanks so much to our incredibly devoted citizen scientist gray whale census observers, "The People Who Count"; this project would not exist without them! We'll be back on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center on 1 Dec 2026: come visit us then!
(Summary by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
PHOTO TODAY: Gray Whale Census Team, with our whiteboard displaying our final counts for this season. Clockwise, left to right: Gray Whale Census Team with our whiteboard displaying our final counts for this season. Clockwise, L to R: Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger, observer Mel Baylor, anchor Chad Sprouse, observer Gail Goulet, observer Cheryl Beshke, anchor Kathy Hill, observer Shelley Conger, and anchor Gerrie Teague Cole (by Mike Crnkovich).
GRAY WHALES TODAY
Southbound: 0
Northbound: 0
Cow/calves south: 0
Cow/calves north: 0
Total: 0
GRAY WHALES TO DATE (since 1 Dec)
Southbound: 214
Northbound: 445
Cow/calves south: 17
Cow/calves north: 16
Total: 659
#acsladailycount #graywhalecensus #humpbackwhale #minkewhale #commondolphins
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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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