Whale Count
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Located at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center
Latest Gray Whale 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.
Background
It is sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society, and is staffed by teams of trained volunteers from the American Cetacean Society, the Cabrillo Whalewatch Program, and the general public. Except for 1981-82 and 1982-83, this project has operated annually since 1979 from Long Point or Point Vicente; during past seasons parallel stations have operated from Santa Catalina Island and Santa Cruz Island. Our primary station since the 1985-86 season has been the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC). Though the generosity of PVIC and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, we are back on the patio of PVIC. We have great views of marine life from our cliffside post 125 feet above sea level, where the water depth abruptly drops off close to shore.
This station runs from 1 December through late May during daylight hours, seven days a week. The official project binoculars are Fujinon 7Ч50, with built-in reticles and compass. All participants use binoculars, and several confirm and detail sightings with spotting scopes. Weather data, including visibility and sea conditions, are recorded at least hourly. Observers identify and record various marine mammals and their behaviors, focusing on gray whales. Because the majority of gray whales use off-shore migratory routes in this area (primarily through the Channel Islands), especially on the southbound migration, we see only a small proportion of the total gray whale population, so our counts cannot be used to determine that population. Instead, our project focuses on ascertaining seasonal usage of the nearshore migratory path, and documents changing trends over time. Variable weather and shifts in migratory path preferences result in annual counts that fluctuate dramatically, which does not necessarily mean the gray whale population is likewise fluctuating. We especially detail calf sighting in both the southbound and northbound migration, which helps track trends in calf recruitment.
Spotters also detail migratory behaviors observed, including breaching, spyhopping, rolling, courtship, apparent nursing, possible feeding, and interaction with kelp and with other marine mammals. Participants also note possible human impacts on gray whales, including boat interactions, possible harassment incidents, and entanglements. In addition, we identify and record behaviors of any other marine mammals that utilize these waters, including common dolphin, Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, northern right whale dolphin, killer whales, false killer whales, pilot whales, Dall’s porpoise, sperm whales, minke whales, humpback whales, blue whales, fin whales, California sea lions, harbor seals, northern elephant seals, and southern sea otters. When possible, attempts are made to cross-check and augment notes on individually identifiable cetaceans with photos and behavior data collected from commercial and private whalewatching boats.
For more information please contact the Census director, Alisa Schulman-Janiger
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