# @centerforbiodiv on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZIvv5-Dt_f
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66351055-centerforbiodiv-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/da27cbd256.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-03T20:10:47.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Center for Biological Diversity (@CenterForBioDiv) — https://gondola.cc/CenterForBioDiv

## Caption

Heartbreaking news: At least 51 whales have died along the West Coast already this year.

If whale deaths continue at this rate, 2026 could rank among the deadliest years for West Coast whales — second only to 2019, when a record-setting 122 whales died.

Several of the dead whales were starving — likely because warming in the Arctic is changing the ecosystem where some of the species feed. 

But others died from ship strikes or enganglement in fishing gear. 

There's a proven immediate solution that could have helped prevent the death of some of these whales: Vessel speed limits.

Research shows that limiting vessels’ speed to 10 knots or slower dramatically reduces the risk and lethality of collisions — especially for mothers and calves, who are at greater risk from ships because they spend a lot of time near the ocean's surface. 

We need as many people as possible to raise their voices to help West Coast whales! 

Take action now to urge NOAA Fisheries Service and the U.S. Coast Guard to require vessel speed limits where whales are most likely to be. 🐋➡️ biodiv.us/wcw 

#WhaleConservation #graywhales #savewhales #whaledeaths #vesselspeedlimits #marineprotection #oceanconservation

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,669
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- **Comments:** 45

## Tags

whaledeaths, graywhales, savewhales, marineprotection, vesselspeedlimits, whaleconservation, oceanconservation

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