• Thirty-one of 66 adult whales (47%) with a history of strong site fidelity to GB-IS were missing and most are presumed to have died during or after the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave (PMH).  

• We documented six mother/calf pairs and a declining crude birth rate (CBR) since 2020 (2020: 7.4%; 2021: 6.5%, 2022: 3.6%). Although calf production appeared to be rebounding in 2020 following sharp declines during and after the PMH, it remains far below the pre-PMH mean CBR of 9.1%. 

• Juvenile survival appears to be increasing after an abrupt decline during and after the PMH.  

• Relatively high residency and low transience rates in 2019-2022 presumably reflect favorable feeding conditions in GB-IS in contrast to PMH years. 

• The rate of emaciation (16%) appeared to be lower in 2022 than in recent years and reverses a pattern of increasing emaciation. 

• In February 2022, adult female #235/”Spot” (age ≥49) was found dead near Angoon and a necropsy revealed that she likely died after being hit by a large vessel. 

• We opportunistically documented forage fish, especially sand lance, but annual forage fish monitoring is needed to systematically assess whale prey trends. 

Xunaa Káawu Aaní áwé yéi xat yatee ka ax’ yéi jixané

I live and work in Huna Tlingit Homeland.