NOAA Feds Looking Into Crimes After Initials Carved Into Washington Coast Whale

Published 05/18/26 at 2:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Whidbey Island, Washington) - It was the 19th gray whale to wash up on the Washington coast, happening on May 13 at Whidbey Island's North Sunset Beach. Greatly saddening residents and visitors, the whale carcass could well be considered a crime scene now, according to Seattle-area media such as King 5.

Somewhere over the weekend, someone carved their initials into the whale's skin: what appears to be the letters “AW + KO.” Witnesses at the scene told regional media they'd also seen some trying to cut baleen from the whale's mouth.

One witness said whoever carved the initials into the whale had to use considerable force: he described it as being almost as difficult as changing a tire.

Both are federal crimes under the Endangered Species Act, which says you cannot disturb those marine mammals under its protection, which includes whales – even after death. That law is there, in part, to prevent the harvesting of parts for profit.

Now, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) investigators are looking into the incident. See KING 5 video / images

Stranded whale parts are also reserved for tribal culture and ceremonies.

When scientists do necropsies, sample whale tissue or even close to them with drones they have to do so with the proper permits.

Cascadia Research Collective - gray whale in Ocean Shores, WA this year

The Whidbey Island gray whale was part of a run of deceased whales showing up on the Washington coast, most determined to be extremely underweight and malnourished. This one had been examined in recent days by Cascadia Research Collective, which said this one was also malnourished and likely had some ship strike trauma as well.

The 20th gray to wash up since the beginning of the year happened at Moclips on May 14, but it was in an advanced state of composition and couldn't be given more than a look over. The 21st whale came ashore in the Willapa Bay area and was a male.

The Oregon coast has dealt with at least one whale collection crime in the last 20 years. In 2007, Oregon Coast Beach Connection covered the investigation of a man caught taking out a jawbone from a sperm whale at a remote spot around Cannon Beach.

Seaside Aquarium crews had just responded to the incident. Once they arrived, the man was trying to hide the jawbone in the bushes. They were able to convince the man give up the item and began cooperating with the team, according to manager Keith Chandler at the time.

Gray whale last month in Skagit County

Special Agent Sean Stanley, with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Astoria, was one of two agents interviewing Chandler as Oregon Coast Beach Connection began interviewing them. The agent said this kind of crime could result in as much as one year in prison and a $100,000 – but that was in 2007.

Currently, such a crime could land you in jail for as much as five years.

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