06/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE: UPDATE
Coordinated Response Underway for Humpback Whale Stranding on Sensitive Monterey Bay Area Beach
A coordinated response is currently underway following the stranding of a deceased humpback whale on a sensitive Monterey Bay area beach. The response is being led by the Marine Mammal Stranding Networks at UC Santa Cruz's Long Marine Laboratory and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, working in partnership with the City of Pacific Grove, Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station, NOAA Fisheries, and other local partners.
Whale strandings are a natural occurrence and provide important opportunities for scientists to learn more about the health, ecology, and threats facing marine mammal populations. When strandings occur, response teams work to gather as much information as possible while ensuring public safety and minimizing disturbance to surrounding wildlife and habitats.
Given the ecological sensitivity of the stranding location, which serves as important habitat for harbor seals and nursing harbor seal pups, response efforts have been carefully designed to minimize impacts to wildlife and the surrounding environment.
Over the next 24 hours, trained responders will conduct a limited necropsy examination to collect biological samples. These samples may help investigators better understand potential contributors to the cause of death, though a limited necropsy means a cause of death may remain uncertain. Samples collected will contribute valuable information to ongoing marine mammal health and conservation research. To reduce impacts to the beach ecosystem and nearby wildlife, the whale will remain largely intact and will be removed from the beach via towing following sample collection.
Members of the public are asked to observe the response from a distance and avoid approaching the whale or entering sensitive wildlife areas. Human presence near harbor seal pupping habitat can cause unnecessary stress and disturbance to animals during a critical period of their life cycle. Giving responders space to work will also help ensure a safe and efficient operation.
We appreciate the public's cooperation as responders work to responsibly manage this stranding, protect sensitive coastal habitats, and gather information that will help advance our understanding of marine mammal health.
Robin Dunkin, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz, will serve as the media contact for the response. Email: [email protected]
