Connecting You to America's Ocean and Great Lakes Treasures

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series

Prevalence of algal toxins in gray whales feeding in Northwest Washington, USA

March 25, 2025

2 pm Hawaii / 5 pm Pacific / 7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern

Harmful algal bloom toxins are prevalent along the Pacific Coast of North America and may be detected in marine wildlife without deleterious effects on health. We measured concentrations of domoic acid and saxitoxin in fecal samples from free-swimming gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) feeding on the northwest coast of Washington, USA in the summer and fall of 2018 and 2019. Concentrations in gray whale feces were compared to those measured in shellfish and to phytoplankton cell counts taken over the same time period. Photo-identification of individual whales allowed for insights about feeding location and exposure to toxins.

The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with educational and scientific expertise, resources, and training to support ocean literacy in the classroom. This series currently targets formal and informal educators, students (high school through college), as well as members of the community, including families. You can also visit the archives of the webinar series to catch up on presentations you may have missed here.

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The Webinar ID is 880-393-843.