During the summer months, numerous tourists flock to Tofino, B.C., a scenic town on the western edge of Vancouver Island.
While Tofino offers various attractions like beaches and rainforests, the grey whales steal the spotlight as the main draw for visitors.
Mayor Dan Law of Tofino emphasized the unique experience of making eye contact with these majestic creatures, calling it priceless and something everyone should encounter.
However, beneath the surface of this tourist spectacle lies a troubling reality – the grey whales are facing significant challenges. Many of them are emaciated, starving, and sadly, succumbing to death.
“A moment that is worth more than money can buy is when one of those whales will look at you in the eye– Dan Law, Tofino mayor
Scientists have raised concerns about a potential link between these distressing whale conditions and the changing climate, advocating for the grey whales to be classified as an endangered species.
So far this year, the discovery of 10 grey whale carcasses along B.C.’s shores and 30 in Washington state has been reported. Researchers suspect additional undocumented whale deaths.
Comparing these figures to past years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a concerning rise in grey whale mortalities, with 145 recorded deaths in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada as of July 8 this year, surpassing the totals of 179 in 2025 and 61 in 2024. Notably, in 2019, there were 216 grey whale fatalities reported.
Renowned whale biologist Jim Darling, with over four decades of experience, operates a research vessel from Tofino, studying the grey whales’ behaviors.
These massive creatures embark on an extensive annual journey, covering up to 22,000 kilometers round trip from Mexico’s Baja region to Alaska for feeding. Darling highlighted the vulnerability of the grey whales during their lengthy spring migration, a period when numerous fatalities occur.
Expressing his concerns, Darling, a marine biology Ph.D. and the founder of the Pacific Wildlife Foundation, emphasized
