Humpback whales are some of the most awe-inspiring animals in our ocean. That’s why so many in our community were heartbroken to learn that a 30-foot humpback whale, weighing an estimated 10 tons, washed ashore near 11th Street in Newport Beach on February 19. Right now, we still don’t know why this whale died.

When a protected marine mammal washes up on our shores, it shouldn’t be met with silence or uncertainty. It should be met with urgency, transparency, and a commitment to prevent future deaths if possible.

This is not an isolated moment of concern. Last year, another whale in our region reportedly suffered after being sickened by acid linked to a toxic algae bloom. Other recent strandings along the Southern California coast have also left questions unanswered. While each case may have different causes, together they raise serious concerns about the health of our coastal waters and the pressures facing marine wildlife.

We are calling on NOAA Fisheries, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Coastal Commission, and the Newport Beach City Council to ensure a full necropsy is conducted and that the findings are made public. If human activity, environmental degradation, ship strikes, water quality issues, or other preventable factors played any role, the public deserves to know.

We also urge these agencies and local leaders to strengthen coastal monitoring efforts, including improved tracking of water quality, harmful algal blooms, and other environmental stressors that could threaten whales and other marine life.

Protecting whales is not a partisan issue. It is about stewardship, responsibility, and respect for the natural world that belongs to all of us. Humpback whales are protected under federal law for a reason. We cannot look away when one washes up on our shore.

Our coastline is a treasure. Our marine life is irreplaceable. Sign this petition to demand answers, accountability, and stronger protections for the whales that share our ocean.
 

Photo: KTLA