A 40-foot male gray whale washed ashore in Bolinas on April 1, 2026, one of at least nine gray whales found dead in Bay Area waters this year. A study found that at least 18% of gray whales entering San Francisco Bay since 2018 have died there, with vessel strikes as a leading cause.
Despite proven solutions like speed restrictions, regulations remain voluntary. The Coast Guard broadcasts sightings but lacks dedicated staff for whale coordination.