Gray Whale Census & 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, on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

as of 25 May 2019

(since 1 Dec 2018)

Message from our observers: No GRAY WHALES today, despite sunny skies with great visibility and sea conditions. We tracked at least five BLUE WHALES that foraged as close as a mile offshore; at least four fluked. We also spotted many groups of COMMON DOLPHIN with lots of birds; two groups had over 1000 dolphin! We also watched several groups of both inshore and offshore BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN.

LAST DAY: We ended this 36th consecutive full season ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project with our twenty-third highest southbound count, eighteenth highest southbound calf count, fourteenth highest northbound count, and twenty-ninth highest (or seventh lowest) northbound calf count. Our low northbound calf count is quite similar to the calf counts we had during the gray whale Unusual Mortality Event of 1999-2001, when we also saw many skinny grays. Thanks so very much to our hundred plus dedicated volunteers/citizen scientists! We’ll be back on the Point Vicente Interpretive Center patio on 1 December 2019, to kick off our 37th season.

Gray Whale Census & Behavior Volunteers 2017-2018

The public is welcome to visit this citizen science observation post.

This is a unique long-term shore-based study of the marine mammals that utilize the nearshore waters of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, located approximately 8 miles north of the Los Angeles Harbor, in southern California. 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 7×50, 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.