American biologists have begun investigating the mass deaths of 30 whales found along the southern coast of the American peninsula of Alaska this summer, Reuters reported, citing a federal official.
Representatives of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called the mass death of whales in the area "an anomalous event." Whale deaths in the area have exceeded their historical average three times this year, the agency said.
Since May 2015, the bodies of 11 minke whales, 14 humpback whales, one gray whale and four unidentified whales have been found in the bay along the coast of Alaska since May 2015.
“At the moment, we do not know the reason why these whales washed ashore, our research will provide us with important information about the health of whales and the ecosystems in which they live,” NOAA spokesman Teri Rawls was quoted as saying.
The main version of the cause of the mass death of whales, the management considers the bloom of poisonous algae in the Pacific Ocean along the western coast of the United States, which led to the cessation of reproduction of offspring by shellfish in the states of Washington, Oregon and California.
In May, microscopic algae begin to bloom, which produce a potentially fatal neurotoxin (domoic acid), including for humans.
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