It’s likely hundreds of endangered whales have been hit and killed by ships off the California coast just within the past few years – the highest spike in “ship strikes” in recent history. An NBC Bay Area investigation exposes which shipping companies may be endangering vulnerable whale populations off the San Francisco coast by surpassing a recommended speed limit that was enacted nearly a decade ago in order to protect vulnerable whale populations.
Humback Whale
Struck by Ships Since 2006
U.S.
128
California
20
Gray Whale
Struck by Ships Since 2006
U.S.
54
California
39
Fin Whale
Struck by Ships Since 2006
U.S.
52
California
23
Blue Whale
Struck by Ships Since 2006
U.S.
14
California
14