Blue Whales Showed Up in Record Numbers Off the San Francisco Coast

The largest mammals on earth began congregating in record numbers off the Bay Area coast in June. According to KRON 4 in San Francisco,  “Endangered blue whales are feeding on abundant krill in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Researchers recorded seeing 47 blue whales a short distance from the Farallon Islands on Saturday, and NOAA marine animal experts are describing this season for blues as ‘exceptional.’”

“It’s been an excellent year for upwelling, for ocean productivity. But to have 47 blues feeding in one area, each can eat up to 6-tons of tiny shrimp-like krill per day, probably sets a record. The scientists on the island could not see their entire feeding group, so 47 is a conservative number,” NOAA Greater Farallones spokeswoman Mary Jane Schramm said.

You can see video of the magnificent creatures here.