Whales and ship strikes in Alaska?

Note: A ship hitting a whale doesn't mean it wasn't dead or sick before being struck. Points: fresh carcass, isolation of the area, multiple deaths simultaneously, necropsy findings undetermined.

2024, July 2. USA, Alaska, Icy Strait, Elfin Cove. Floating humpback whale, which ultimately washed ashore. Yearling individual. Postmortem examination of this male found injuries consistent with a vessel strike as the cause of death. Blamed on ship strike?

2024, July 22. USA, Alaska, Icy Strait, Point Adolphus. A second humpback whale for July was reported floating at sea. Individual name: SEAK-1731. A 23-year-old female was first spotted as a calf in 2001 and has a sighting history in Southeast Alaska and Hawaii. Similar to the July 2 incident. Quote from the article: "While the necropsy team found evidence suggesting blunt force trauma from a possible vessel strike, the cause of death could not be confirmed at the time of the necropsy."

Ship Strike Suspected as Cause of Death of Two Whales in Alaska | NOAA Fisheries

Credit: Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services.