Managed and unmanaged whale mortality in the California Current Ecosystem

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105039
• Publication Date: 2022-04-02T02:53:03Z
• Authors: Eliza Oldach; Helen Killeen; Priya Shukla; Ellie Brauer; Nicholas Carter; Jennifer Fields; Alexandra Thomsen; Cassidy Cooper; Leah Mellinger; Kaiwen Wang; Carl Hendrickson; Anna Neumann; Pernille Sporon B...; Nann Fangue
• Keywords: human impacts; 0106 biological sciences; literature review; whale; baleen whales; mortality; 01 natural sciences; California Current; social-ecological systems; U.S. West Coast; policy solutions; synthetic review; 14. Life underwater; california; toothed whales

Whales serve important biological and cultural functions in the California Current ecosystem (CCE). Due to concerns regarding anthropogenic impacts on whales, Ocean Protection Council articulated a goal achieve zero mortality for CCE with target of creating statewide plan by 2022. Achieving is laudable but difficult as success depends understanding existing sources mortality, opportunities policy change, coordination activities across entire CCE. This review synthesizes available research drivers nine whale species that addresses those drivers. Five main threats contribute are currently targeted through relevant responses: entanglement, vessel strikes, noise, water quality, marine debris. Three remain largely unaddressed management, despite their contribution lethal sublethal whales: nutritional stress, disease, predation. Ultimately, interconnected span both geographic jurisdictional boundaries, necessitating holistic approach managing