Two More Dead Whales on Oregon / Washington Coast, Why It's Happening

Published 04/24/26 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaview, Washington) – More dead whales have hit the region in the last three days. A new deceased whale has washed up on the Washington coast, and another whale that was so decayed it was in two parts showed up at Manhattan Beach on the Oregon coast. (File photo from OPRD)

The gray whale in Washington arrived near Seaview Wednesday night, just south of Long Beach, according to Seaside Aquarium. The aquarium's Keith Chandler also told Oregon Coast Beach Connection another whale showed up at Rockaway Beach earlier today (Friday), in the Manhattan Beach section of the town's beaches.

Why it's happening so much lately was also addressed by regional scientists.

Both showed up already deceased – in the case of the Rockaway Beach whale it had been dead a long, long time.

That whale came up in two pieces.

“They thought at first it was two whales, but it turned out to just be one that was in two pieces,” Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

That one is believed to be a gray whale. It is too decomposed to go near, so no necropsy will be performed.

Manhattan Beach - Rockaway Beach (Oregon Coast Beach Connection file photo)

This makes the 14th whale stranding on the Washington coast since 2026 began, and the fourth for the Oregon coast. Altogether, it's the 17th for the Pacific Northwest (as one whale that stranded in Seaside was among the count of Washington whales when it was seen floating off Long Beach, before hitting Oregon).

The whale on the Washington coast near Seaview is the second in the Long Beach area in just a week. That one was definitely identified as a gray whale.

Friday morning, Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) arrived on the scene and did a necropsy. They have already determined it was emaciated but there was also blunt force trauma involved. That announcements did not indicate whether this involved a ship strike. It was a female.

Like just about all the gray whales that have stranded on Oregon and Washington shores recently, malnutrition was a major factor in this latest whale.

Julie Conrad, a researcher from the Oregon coast, examined video footage of the whale from local TV broadcasts and told Oregon Coast Beach Connection you can see the spine through the skin, which is a sign of emaciation.

CRC now has a regularly updated page on their site https://cascadiaresearch.org/working-list-of-gray-whale-strandings-in-2026/ that shows necropsy information and a count of the whales in Washington. It does not necessarily include whales that came up on the Oregon coast.

Why have these been washing up?

Part of the issue is that west winds are blowing a lot of objects onshore. The other part is not so innocent.

Whale at Florence in March - photo Jim Rice / Marine Mammal Stranding Network

John Calambokidis, lead researcher with the CRC has been answering this quite a bit as of late. He – like Hatfield Marine Science Center researcher Leigh Torres – said it seems to have much to do with the food sources for the gray whales, and that their food is being affected by things like climate change.

In particular, researchers note the melting of ice in the polar regions is lessening their food supply, and that these whales washing up right now have been starving for awhile. It's likely that the whales dying of starvation now began having trouble finding food last year.

One popular rumor on the net is that it is Navy sound equipment killing the whales, but this is not true. Scientists are certain it is a long-term starvation event, and it shows an unsettling shift.

For background see the article 'Skinny Whales' Remain Issue on Washington / Oregon Coast, But May Be Lessening

Gray whale populations in the East Pacific (Alaska to Baja) have already been reduced by thousands in the last decade, going from an estimated 18,000 around 2014 to as few as 13,000 by 2023. A declaration of an “Unusual Mortality Event” was issued by in the late 2010s after they saw at least hundreds of them die off, likely caused by food and disease issues that could be tied to climate change.

That declaration was ended in 2023, but Torres warned at the time the population did not appear to be recovering. That was proven to be the case since then and now scientists are looking at this alarming new trend.

The CRC said that last year saw 18 dead whales appear on the Washington coast. This time, just four months in, there's already 14.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

Oregon Coast / Washington Coast Videos: News, Reviews, Beach Finds, Hotel Ins...
Videos and reels from Oregon coast / Washington coast: what's happening

Off The Beaten Path In Lincoln City, View to Gnarly or Nice on Oregon Coast
Nothing but surf and lovely amenities in a hidden part of Lincoln City. Lincoln City hotel reviews. Pelican Shores Inn

Beaches 2026: Giving the Oregon Coast Online
New ways to give the gift of a night at the beach or fun gear. Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Manzanita hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Pacific City hotel specials, Pacific City hotel reviews, Newport lodging deals, Newport hotel reviews

An Oregon Coast Stay Full of Ocean Expanse, Cannon Beach Bunnies, Maybe Elk
Cannon Beach's Wayside Inn hosts balconies or patios to the watery world. Cannon Beach hotel reviews

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

A Bit of Oregon Coastal Swank At Not Quite the Coin
Lincoln City's Inn at Wecoma creates a rush of lovely surprises. Lincoln City hotel reviews

Two More Whales Wash Up on Washington Coast This Week: One a Rarity
One a Baird's beaked whale the other the 11th gray whale in a month. Marine sciences, Ocean Shores, Moclips

Pacific Fishery Management Settles on 2026 Oregon Coast Salmon Seasons, Keeping Whales in Mind
Some of the guidance keeps whale food sources in consideration. Marine sciences

Reggae Musician Mike Love Hits Oregon Coast for Seriously Irie Lincoln City Show
The Beach Club in Lincoln City hosts the show on Saturday, June 28. Lincoln City events

More Central Oregon Coast Glass Float Big Drops: Lincoln City This Week and June
Adding 50 limited-edition glass floats for Earth Week then 130 in June. Lincoln City events

Cannon Beach Talk Looks Into Adorable N. Oregon Coast Wonders Like Rhinoceros Auklet
Pelican Brewery in Cannon Beach on Sunday, April 12, at 4 p.m. Cannon Beach events

Puffins Return to Oregon Coast in Spring 2026: Where to Find Them - Video
April 18, Cannon Beach events; May 2 and weekends, Bandon events, Coos Bay events

Adorable Chicks Being Born on Oregon Coast Means Some Beach Restrictions
On a handful of beaches, mostly on the south coast. Marine sciences

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted