The Return of the Giants: A San Francisco Bay Story

By Scott Barnes

Every spring, the foggy edges of San Francisco Bay stir with something ancient.

It started with a ripple—barely noticeable beneath the Golden Gate Bridge—then a flash of grey and white. A grey whale broke the surface, exhaled a spout of mist into the morning air, and dove again, its massive tail vanishing into the deep.

Scientists believe this is a part of a growing trend—whales venturing farther into San Francisco Bay than ever before. The cause? A combination of recovering whale populations, warmer waters, and booming schools of anchovies and herring, their favorite prey.

Soon, more whales were spotted breaching off Alcatraz Island and near the Bay Bridge, enchanting ferry passengers and joggers along the Embarcadero. Whale-watchers gathered with binoculars, children pointed with wide eyes, and fishermen paused their work, silently respectful of the creatures gliding beneath their boats. To date this year, thirty gray whales that have entered the bay. Unfortunately, there have been six recorded deaths. At least five of those are suspected vessel strikes.

Through boat-based and shore-based data collection, the Marine Mammal Center’s Cetacean Conservation Biology program is compiling the first ever humpback whale, grey whale, harbor porpoise and bottlenose dolphin photo-identification catalogs for the San Francisco Bay. This photo-identification research allows them to better understand human impacts on cetaceans, inform proactive solutions and take action to protect these animals.

So, we know what government agencies are doing to protect these beautiful creatures, but what can we do to assist? Below are the Marine Mammal Center’s recommendations:

• Report the sighting immediately through the WhaleAlert app or the Orca Network

• Maintain at least 100 yards of distance

• Observe cautiously

• Respect their space