A review of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) on their wintering grounds in Mexican waters

Recent research suggests that the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population (Eschrichtius robustus) may be approaching or exceeding its carrying capacity, as indicated by increased mortality rates across all age and sex classes. This review synthesizes decades of study on gray whales' winter breeding grounds in Baja California, Mexico, highlighting their critical coastal lagoon habitats for reproductive success. It examines historical exploitation, conservation efforts, and both natural and human-induced threats to the population while proposing future research and monitoring directions. The focus is on findings from mid-1970s onward, offering a comprehensive overview of this recovered cetacean's status and challenges.

Urban R., J., Rojas-Bracho, L., Perez-Cortes, H., Gomez-Gallardo, A., Swartz, S. L., Ludwig, S., & Brownell Jr., R. L. (2023). A review of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) on their wintering grounds in Mexican waters. J. Cetacean Res. Manage., 5(3), 281–295. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v5i3.808