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Cited by 2Marine animal studies overviewMarine and fisheries researchWildlife Ecology and Conservation

Update on the status of gray whales since the 2020 Implementation Review

Open access
Scordino, Jonathan, Bickham, John W., Brandon, John R., Brownell, Robert L., Burdin, Alexander, Doniol-Valcroze, Thomas, Eguchi, Tomoharu, Givens, Geof H. +7 more·2024·J. Cetacean Res. Manage.
DOI 10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.942
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Abstract

The International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee conducts regular Implementation Reviews (IRs) of the biology, threats and status of whale species subject to aboriginal subsistence whaling. The last IR of plans for hunting eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales by the Chukotka Natives of the Russian Federation and the Makah Tribe of the United States of America occurred in 2020. This paper presents a review of new scientific findings on gray whales to assess whether the current status of the stock(s) is within the parameter space tested in the 2020 IR. Updated information on gray whale stock structure hypotheses, abundance and calf productivity, health and strandings, human removals by hunting and non‐hunting sources, population growth rates, immigration into the Pacific Coast Feeding Group, parameterisation of the Makah hunt, and future episodic mortality events (EMEs) were reviewed for this assessment. For almost all factors, it appears that the current dynamics of the ENP gray whale population are within the parameter space evaluated in 2020 IR. The exception is that EMEs affecting whales in the ENP are occurring more frequently and at a greater magnitude than previously evaluated. However, preliminary evaluations suggest that the performances of the Gray Whale Strike Limit Algorithm (SLA) and Makah Management Plan are robust to recent and future EMEs of Northern Feeding Group gray whales and reductions of productivity of the Pacific Coast Feeding Group, at least under the initial parameterisations. We therefore conclude that there is no compelling need for a Special IR prior to the next scheduled IR in 2026, while noting that additional abundance data for 2022/23 and 2023/24 analysed after drafting this paper could strengthen or weaken the evidence for this conclusion.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review updates gray whale science since the 2020 Implementation Review and finds that almost all current dynamics remain within the parameter space tested in 2020, except that episodic mortality events (EMEs) are occurring more frequently and at greater magnitude than previously evaluated. Preliminary modeling suggests the Gray Whale Strike Limit Algorithm and Makah Management Plan are robust to recent and future EMEs, so the authors conclude there is no compelling need for a Special Implementation Review before the scheduled 2026 review.

Key findings

  • Eastern North Pacific abundance declined from 26,960 whales (95% CI 24,420–29,830) in 2015/16 to 16,650 whales (95% credible interval 15,170–18,335) in 2021/22, a median decline of 37.4% (95% credible interval 33.1–41.7%); an integrated model estimated a high of 23,619 (95% credible interval 22,830–24,429) in 2018 and a low of 18,027 (95% credible interval 16,942–19,074) in 2023, a 23.7% decrease.
  • Pacific Coast Feeding Group abundance peaked at 257 (SE = 17.9) in 2015 and declined to 212 (SE = 17.9) in 2020, a 17.5% reduction; this decline preceded the current EME and may relate to the 2014–2016 marine heatwave.
  • The current EME appears to affect the Northern Feeding Group but not the PCFG, Western Feeding Group, or Western Breeding Stock; record-high calf counts occurred at Sakhalin Island in 2019 and second-highest in 2021, while EBS calf counts were among the lowest on record, including the lowest in 2022.
  • Human-caused mortality data showed observed non-hunting serious-injury and mortality increased to 6.7 whales/year during 2019–21 versus 3.9 whales/year in the previous 10 years, though observed dead whales plus prorated serious injuries were similar (11.03 vs 11.69 whales/year); Chukotkan hunts averaged 126.4 strikes/year (SD = 11.7) from 2018–2022.

Methods

  • The paper is a review of new scientific findings since the 2020 Implementation Review, assessing whether current gray whale stock status remains within the parameter space tested in 2020.
  • It synthesizes updated information on stock structure hypotheses, abundance and calf productivity, health and strandings, human removals by hunting and non-hunting sources, population growth rates, immigration into the PCFG, parameterization of the Makah hunt, and future EMEs.
  • The assessment compares recent observations against 2020 IR evaluation and robustness trials, and cites preliminary modeling by Punt et al. (2023) that included more frequent and longer EME scenarios.

Limitations

  • The paper states that additional abundance data for 2022/23 and 2023/24, analyzed after drafting, could strengthen or weaken the conclusion before 2026.
  • The paper states there are no data to evaluate assumptions and parameter space for the Makah hunt and monitoring programs because no hunt has occurred in recent history.
  • The paper states no new abundance estimates are available to assess whether the WFG or WBS have been affected by the current EME, and no studies report strandings or body condition changes for WBS/WFG during the EME; post-mortem examinations have not found a definitive cause for any gray whale EME, with decomposition and lack of fresh carcasses limiting disease identification.
  • Evident from the text: the robustness conclusion rests on preliminary modeling under initial parameterizations, and the authors note that new evaluation and robustness trial configurations are needed for future IRs.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.942

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

27 of 124 cited sources checked · 15 supported · 1 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Interpretationreasoning

    The conclusions of Lemos et al. (2020) and Torres et al. (2022) are somewhat conflicting regarding environmental conditions for gray whales prior to 2017.

    “The conclusions of Lemos et al. (2020) and Torres et al. (2022) are somewhat conflicting, with the latter implying that environmental conditions (namely the marine heat wave) were worse for gray whales prior to 2017, whereas the former reported that upwelling conditions were better for whales in the same area in 2016 than 2017-18.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Lemos et al., 2020 source

      The Upwelling index section (page unavailable) reports that 2016 had the poorest upwelling conditions of 2016–2018, contrary to the claim that conditions were better in 2016. The discussion reports better whale body condition in 2016, but distinguishes that observation from upwelling conditions and suggests a delayed effect. This verdict concerns only the conclusion attributed to Lemos et al., not Torres et al. (LLM, conf=0.93)

      Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Torres et al., 2022 source
  • Premisecitation

    Kelp canopy cover is positively correlated with gray whale body condition in Washington.

    “Kelp canopy cover is positively correlated with gray whale body condition in Washington (Akmajian et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Akmajian et al., 2021 source
  • Premisecitation

    The Stewart et al. (2023) model estimated a 19.1% decline between 1987 and 1990.

    “The Stewart et al. (2023)model estimated a smaller but still substantial decline of 19.1% (95% credible interval 14.0-24.3%)between 1987 and 1990.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      The Results and discussion section reports a major 1987–1989 abundance decline and says the three major mortality events each reduced abundance by 15–25%. That supports a substantial decline beginning in 1987, but our copy does not give the claimed 19.1% estimate, its 14.0–24.3% credible interval, or a 1990 endpoint (page unavailable). (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Gray whale abundance quickly recovered following each of the large declines documented between 1987-1993 and 1997-2001, showing resilience to past episodic mortality events.

    “It should be noted that gray whale abundance quickly recovered following each of the large declines documented between 1987-1993 and 1997-2001, showing the resilience of the gray whale population to past EME events (Stewart et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source
  • Premisecitation

    Torres et al. (2022) found that body condition of Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales improved each year from 2017 to 2019.

    “Torres et al. (2022) also evaluated the drone-derived body condition of PCFG gray whales observed off Oregon and found that their body condition improved each year from 2017 to 2019.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Torres et al., 2022 source
  • May combine two claims. 61
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 8
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Lemos et al. (2020) found that body condition of Pacific Coast Feeding Group whales improved through the feeding season and was variable by year.

    “Like Akmajian et al. (2021), they found that body condition improved through the feeding season and was variable by year.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lemos et al., 2020 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Body condition of Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales was found to be variable by year and improves through the feeding season, but not at the same rate every year.

    “Body condition was found to be variable by year and improves through the feeding season, but not at the same rate every year.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Akmajian et al., 2021 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The start of the Pacific Coast Feeding Group abundance decline preceded the current eastern breeding stock episodic mortality event and may show the Pacific Coast Feeding Group response to the 2014-2016 marine heatwave.

    “The start of this decline in PCFG abundance preceded the current EME of EBS gray whales and may show the PCFG response to the 2014-2016 marine heatwave (Peterson et al., 2017;Khangaonkar et al., 2021;Maniscalco, 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Peterson et al., 2017 source

      The Conclusions (page unavailable) say that gray whales feeding in the Northern California Current encountered a lower-quality food supply during the 2014–2016 warm anomaly. The paper does not report a Pacific Coast Feeding Group abundance decline, establish when it began relative to the eastern breeding stock mortality event, or link that specific decline to the heatwave. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Khangaonkar et al., 2021 source

      The Introduction describes the 2014–2016 marine heatwave and reports effects on parts of the food web. It does not discuss Pacific Coast Feeding Group abundance, eastern breeding stock gray-whale mortality, or the timing of a whale decline relative to that mortality event. Its ecological findings therefore do not establish the proposed whale response. (LLM, conf=0.78)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Maniscalco, 2023 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The population dynamics model in Stewart et al. (2023) estimates a recent abundance high of 23,619 in 2018 and a low of 18,027 in 2023, corresponding to a 23.7% decrease in abundance.

    “The population dynamics model presented in Stewart et al. (2023), integrating all available abundance and vital rate time series, estimates a recent abundance high of 23,619 (95% credible interval 22,830-24,429) in 2018 and a low of 18,027 (95% credible interval 16,942-19,074) in 2023”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      The Results and discussion section describes an integrated population dynamics model and reports that major mortality events reduced abundance by 15–25%. However, no passage in our copy gives the claimed 2018 and 2023 abundance estimates, their credible intervals, or the precise 23.7% decrease; searches for those numbers found no match. Page numbers were not available in the indexed copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The population dynamics model for eastern breeding stock gray whales in Stewart et al. (2023) estimates a significant population decline starting in 1989, similar in magnitude to the 1999 and 2019 episodic mortality events and reflected in declines in both abundance and body condition.

    “In addition, the population dynamics model for EBS gray whales presented by Stewart et al. (2023) estimates a significant population decline starting in 1989, similar in magnitude to the 1999 and 2019 EMEs and reflected in declines in both abundance and body condition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      The Results and discussion describe a 1987–1989 abundance decline, comparable to the 1999–2000 and 2019–2022 mortality events, and report poor body condition in 1988. The Fig. 1 caption says the decline began in 1987, not 1989. Page numbers were not provided in the supplied passages. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Stewart et al. (2023) estimated low and stable rates of direct anthropogenic mortality from 1967-2022 and periodic major increases in natural mortality rates during the three EMEs.

    “Using a proportional hazards model to estimate anthropogenic versus natural mortality rates based on the occurrence of human interactions in stranded EBS gray whales, Stewart et al. (2023) estimated low and stable rates of direct anthropogenic mortality from 1967-2022 (i.e., vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements), and periodic major increases in natural mortality rates during the three EME”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      The Results and discussion say model-estimated anthropogenic mortality remained low and stable, while natural mortality peaked during three major die-offs; they also describe a proportional-hazards model based on human interactions in stranded whales. The claimed 1967 start is not supported by our copy, which gives 1968–2022 for the abundance estimates used in the model. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Stewart et al. (2023) conducted an integrated analysis of gray whale population dynamics and found annual variability in the number of gray whales supported by the Arctic ecosystem, and that the ecosystem was not able to support the full abundance of the population during the current EME.

    “second, Stewart et al. (2023) conducted an integrated analysis of gray whale population dynamics and found annual variability in the number of gray whales supported by the Arctic ecosystem, and that the ecosystem was not able to support the full abundance of the population during the current EME.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Body condition of northbound migrating gray whales was largely synchronous with fluctuations in other vital rates but had more deviations from the overall trend than southbound body condition.

    “Body condition of northbound migrating gray whales (mostly females with dependent calves) was also largely synchronous with fluctuations in other vital rates but had more deviations from the overall trend than southbound body condition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      The Fig. 1 caption (Research Article; page unavailable) associates changes in northbound and southbound whales’ body condition with changes in births and mortality, supporting the broad synchrony claim. The available Results and discussion passage breaks off at “The estimated northbound body,” and no retrieved passage establishes that northbound condition deviated from the overall trend more often than southbound condition. (LLM, conf=0.82)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent modelling by Stewart et al. (2023) found a significant positive relationship between annual carrying capacity and both Arctic crustacean biomass and sea ice-mediated access to foraging areas, suggesting the ability to physically access feeding areas combined with in-situ prey availability explains fluctuations in body condition, reproduction and mortality.

    “However, recent modelling by Stewart et al. (2023) found a significant positive relationship between annual carrying capacity and both Arctic crustacean biomass and sea ice-mediated access to foraging areas, suggesting the ability of ENP gray whales to physically access feeding areas, combined with in-situ prey availability, explains fluctuations in body condition, reproduction and mortality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The toxic threshold of domoic acid in cetaceans is not well known, and it is uncertain if the high concentrations observed contributed to the death of the whales.

    “However, the toxic threshold of domoic acid in cetaceans is not well known (Lefebvre et al., 2016), and it is therefore uncertain if the high concentrations observed contributed to the death of the whales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lefebvre et al., 2016 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The rate of improvement in body condition during the feeding season was much greater for whales feeding at Sakhalin than PCFG whales, suggesting better quality or availability of prey at Sakhalin Island.

    “(2) the rate of improvement in body condition during the feeding season was much greater for whales feeding at Sakhalin than PCFG whales, suggesting better quality or availability of prey at Sakhalin Island.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Akmajian et al., 2021 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Stewart et al. (2023) demonstrates a relationship between EMEs, benthic crustacean biomass and access to feeding areas in the Arctic and suggest that benthic crustacean biomass has been in decline over the past 50 years.

    “Further, Stewart et al. (2023) demonstrates a relationship between EMEs, benthic crustacean biomass and access to feeding areas in the Arctic and suggest that benthic crustacean biomass has been in decline over the past 50 years.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although Torres et al. (2022) found that PCFG whales often have poorer body condition than other EBS gray whales and suggested that they have lower reproductive potential, this was already accounted for in the 2020 IR which included trials with an MSYR of 2% for PCFG whales.

    “Although Torres et al. (2022) found that PCFG whales often have poorer body condition than other EBS gray whales and suggested that they have lower reproductive potential, this was already accounted for in the 2020 IR which included trials with an MSYR of 2% for PCFG whales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Torres et al., 2022 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Stewart et al. (2023) estimated that before 1990 approximately 1.3% (1.1-1.6%) of gray whales that died were reported as strandings in the USA National Stranding Database, and after improvements in 1990 approximately 4.5% (4.2-5.1%) were reported as strandings.

    “Stewart et al. (2023) estimated that before 1990, when the reporting structure for stranding records was improved, approximately 1.3% ( 1.1-1.6%) of gray whales that died were reported as strandings in the USA National Stranding Database.In contrast, after improvements in 1990, they estimated that approximately 4.5% (4.2-5.1%) of whales that died were reported as strandings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stewart et al., 2023 source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The time series shows low eastern breeding stock calf production during 2007 through 2010, a period not associated with any episodic mortality event.

    “However, the time series also shows low EBS calf production during 2007 through 2010, a period not associated with any EME (Fig. 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Uncorrected calf counts from Pacific Coast Feeding Group surveys show a spike of calf production from 2012-2015 and indicate that calf production was relatively constant during the rest of the time series.

    “Uncorrected calf counts from PCFG surveys show a spike of calf production from 2012-2015 and indicate that calf production was relatively constant during the rest of the time series (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    There have been no additional changes to gray whale stock structure hypotheses and no new studies showing a need for changes since the 2020 Implementation Review.

    “There have been no additional changes to gray whale stock structure hypotheses and no new studies showing a need for changes since the 2020 IR.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The time series of strandings from the USA National Stranding Database shows a slightly elevated number of strandings along the USA West Coast during 1987/88-1992/93, but not to the magnitude observed during the 1999/2000 episodic mortality event or the current episodic mortality event.

    “The time series of strandings from the USA National Stranding Database shows a slightly elevated number of strandings along the USA West Coast of North America during that time, but not to the magnitude observed during the 1999/2000 EME or the current EME (Fig. 7).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    During the recent episodic mortality event, the estimated numbers of calves were some of the lowest in the time series, including 2022 which was the lowest on record.

    “During the recent EME, the estimated numbers of calves were some of the lowest in the time series, including 2022 which was the lowest on record.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Recent Pacific Coast Feeding Group calf counts have been low but are similar to counts during 1998-2010.

    “Recent calf counts have been low but are similar to counts during 1998-2010.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The estimate of abundance in 1993/94 was 20,100, greater than the upper 95% confidence interval for the 1992/93 estimate.

    “The estimate of abundance in 1993/94 was 20,100 (greater than the upper 95% confidence interval for the 1992/93 estimate).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    There are no studies reporting observations of strandings or changes in body condition of WBS and/or WFG whales during the years of the current EME, making it hard to assess if the EME is affecting the health of WBS and/or WFG whales.

    “There are no studies reporting observations of strandings or changes in body condition of WBS and/or WFG whales during the years of the current EME making it hard to assess if the EME is affecting the health of WBS and/or WFG whales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    No new data on the body condition of gray whales at Sakhalin Island or Kamchatka are available.

    “No new data on the body condition of gray whales at Sakhalin Island or Kamchatka are available.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Without a hunt occurring in recent history, there are no data to evaluate the assumptions and parameter space tested regarding the performance of the Makah hunt and monitoring programmes.

    “Without a hunt occurring in recent history, there are no data to evaluate the assumptions and parameter space tested regarding the performance of the Makah hunt and monitoring programmes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Examinations of strandings at wintering lagoons in Mexico documented an overall increase in strandings during the recent episodic mortality event and a change in the age composition of stranded whales.

    “Examinations of strandings at the wintering lagoons in Mexico have documented an overall increase in strandings during the recent EME, as well as a change in the age composition of stranded whales (Martínez-Aguilar et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Martínez-Aguilar et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Survey effort to detect strandings and related reporting structures were expanded and improved markedly in 1990, indicating that stranding rates pre-1990 may not be comparable to post-1990.

    “However, survey effort to detect strandings and related reporting structures were expanded and improved markedly in 1990, indicating that stranding rates pre-1990 may not be comparable to post-1990.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reports from Sakhalin Island and Kamchatka show that calf counts were high during the years of the current episodic mortality event, including the highest calf count on record in 2019 and the second highest in 2021.

    “Reports by researchers at Sakhalin Island and Kamchatka show that calf counts were high during the years of the current EME, including the highest calf count on record (since 1994, when the study began) in 2019 and the second highest in 2021 (Fig. 6; Burdin et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Burdin et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Gray whales have experienced two documented episodic mortality events since abundance monitoring began in the 1960s: the first during 1999/2000 and the second starting in 2019 and continuing into 2023 at a reduced rate.

    “Gray whales have experienced two documented episodic mortality events (EMEs) since abundance monitoring began in the 1960s, the first during 1999/2000, and the second starting in 2019, which has continued into 2023, albeit at a reduced rate”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Raverty et al., 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fauquier et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fauquier et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The total number of strandings was much fewer during the three-year period before 1989 (n = 105) and after 1991 (n = 125), suggesting that a mortality event occurred during 1989-1991.

    “The total number of strandings was much fewer during the threeyear period before 1989 (n = 105) and after 1991 (n = 125), suggesting that a mortality event occurred during the years 1989-1991.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brownell et al., 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The number of stranded whales in Mexico remained elevated during 2021 and 2022, but to a lesser degree than 2019 and 2020.

    “The number of stranded whales remained elevated during 2021 and 2022, but to a lesser degree than was observed during 2019 and 2020.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Martínez-Aguilar et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Scientific Committee agreed that changes in stock structure plausibility would not alter its existing advice on the suitability of either the Gray Whale Strike Limit Algorithm or Makah Management Plan for the Chukotkan hunt and proposed Makah hunt.

    “Overall, the SC agreed that these changes in stock structure plausibility would not alter its existing advice with respect to the suitability of either the Gray Whale SLA or Makah Management Plan for the provision of advice on the Chukotkan hunt and proposed Makah hunt (IWC, 2021).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites IWC, 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In 2020, the Scientific Committee agreed that hypotheses 4a and 7a should replace hypotheses 3a and 5a as high-plausibility stock structure hypotheses, and hypotheses 4b, 4c, and 4e should replace 3b, 3c and 3e as medium-plausibility hypotheses during Implementation Reviews.

    “In 2020, the SC reviewed new genetic studies and agreed that: (a) hypotheses 4a and 7a should replace hypotheses 3a and 5a as high-plausibility stock structure hypotheses; and (b) hypotheses 4b, 4c, and 4e should replace 3b, 3c and 3e as medium-plausibility hypotheses during IRs (IWC, 2022).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites IWC, 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During 2023, calves were the most common age group of stranded whales, which is the typical age class of stranded whales in non-episodic mortality event years.

    “During 2023, calves were the most common age group of stranded whales, which is the typical age class of stranded whales in non-EME years (Martínez-Aguilar et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Martínez-Aguilar et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It is possible that recent declines of Pacific Coast Feeding Group abundance were an artefact of reduced spatial coverage of surveys, particularly in the northern portion of the Pacific Coast Feeding Group range, or due to a different spatial arrangement of whales compared with the past.

    “Alternatively, given that the PCFG abundance estimate is based on a mark-recapture approach, it is possible that recent declines of abundance were an artefact of reduced spatial coverage of surveys, particularly in the northern portion of the PCFG range, or perhaps due to a different spatial arrangement of whales as compared with the past.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Pacific Coast Feeding Group time series of abundance estimates peaked in 2015 at 257 (SE = 17.9), before declining to 212 (SE = 17.9) in 2020, an estimated 17.5% reduction in abundance.

    “The PCFG time series of abundance estimates peaked in 2015 at 257 (standard error (SE) = 17.9), before declining to the most recent estimate of 212 (SE = 17.9) in 2020, an estimated 17.5% reduction in abundance (Fig. 3; Harris et al., 2022).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harris et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The high occurrence of calves in the Western Breeding Stock/Western Feeding Group is in stark contrast to low calf estimates in the eastern breeding stock during similar years, suggesting that the Western Breeding Stock/Western Feeding Group are not affected by the current episodic mortality event.

    “The high occurrence of calves is in stark contrast to the low calf estimates in the EBS during similar years, suggesting that the WBS/WFG are not affected by the current EME.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Premisecitation

    The 2020 Implementation Review found that the Gray Whale Strike Limit Algorithm and Makah Management Plan remain the appropriate basis for the provision of advice on the Chukotkan and proposed Makah hunts.

    “The 2020 IR found that the Gray Whale SLA and Makah Management Plan remain the appropriate basis for the provision of advice on the Chukotkan”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites IWC, 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The three studies on Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales showed that body condition is annually variable, improves through the feeding season, but not at the same rate each year, and is likely linked to environmental variables that govern productivity of the prey base.

    “Regardless of the causal mechanism, the three studies on PCFG gray whales showed that body condition is annually variable, improves through the feeding season, but not at the same rate each year, and is likely linked to environmental variables that govern productivity of the prey base.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The current episodic mortality event appears to be affecting the Northern Feeding Group of the eastern breeding stock, but not the Pacific Coast Feeding Group, Western Feeding Group or Western Breeding Stock.

    “this EME appears to be affecting the Northern Feeding Group (NFG) of the EBS, but not the PCFG, Western Feeding Group (WFG) or Western Breeding Stock (WBS)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The replacement stock structure hypotheses were equivalent to those previously considered highly plausible for modeling purposes, and thus these changes did not lead to the need for additional simulation trials in 2020.

    “Given this approach does not model gene flow, the replacement hypotheses were equivalent to those previously considered highly plausible for the purposes of modeling, and thus these changes did not lead to the need for additional simulation trials in 2020.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Some other underlying process(es) may be leading to interannual variability insufficiently captured by the abundance survey, such as variability in the proportion of the gray whale population that annually migrates past and close enough to the counting station at Granite Canyon, California.

    “Some other underlying process(es) may therefore be leading to interannual variability that is insufficiently captured by the abundance survey, such as variability in the proportion of the gray whale population that annually migrates past and close enough to the counting station at Granite Canyon, California.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The varied results of necropsy reports suggest that EMEs may be caused by multifactorial drivers that can in some cases lead to increased killer whale predation, vessel strikes, entanglements and poor nutritive condition.

    “The varied results of necropsy reports suggest that EMEs may be caused by multifactorial drivers that can in some cases lead to increased killer whale predation, vessel strikes, entanglements and poor nutritive condition (Raverty et al., 2020;Fauquier et al., 2022Fauquier et al., , 2023)).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Raverty et al., 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fauquier et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fauquier et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premiseown data

    Samples from 57 whales were tested for biotoxins from harmful algal blooms, and high concentrations (>1,000 ng/ml) of domoic acid were detected in three of 55 samples (5.5%).

    “Samples from 57 whales were tested for biotoxins from harmful algal blooms.High concentrations (> 1,000 ng/ml) of domoic acid were detected in three of 55 samples (5.5%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sidorov et al. (2022) reported no observable changes in gray whale abundance and condition off Chukotka, suggesting that the conditions causing the EME may not be affecting the Chukotkan hunt area in the central/western North Pacific.

    “Sidorov et al. (2022) reported no observable changes in gray whale abundance and condition off Chukotka, suggesting that the conditions causing the EME may not be affecting the Chukotkan hunt area in the central/western North Pacific.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sidorov et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premiseown data

    Samples from 13 whales were screened by metagenomic viral sequencing, and no known or novel viruses were identified.

    “Samples from 13 whales were screened by metagenomic viral sequencing.No known or novel viruses were identified.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The large EME of gray whales that started in 2019 is of concern and is having observable effects on the number of strandings and body condition of gray whales.

    “The large EME of gray whales that started in 2019 is of concern and is having observable effects on the number of strandings and body condition of gray whales (Christiansen et al., 2021;Fauquier et al., 2023;Valerio-Conchas et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Christiansen et al., 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fauquier et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Valerio-Conchas et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Body condition declines associated with the first two EMEs were rapid, whereas in the most recent EME the body condition decline began several years before major increases in mortality began.

    “Body condition declines associated with the first two EMEs were rapid, whereas, in the most recent EME, the body condition decline began several years before major increases in mortality began.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Observations during 2023 showed marked improvements in body condition, with 70.0% of single whales observed in good condition and 8.8% in poor condition.

    “Observations during 2023 showed marked improvements in body condition, with 70.0% of the single whales observed in good condition and 8.8% in poor condition (Valerio-Conchas et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Valerio-Conchas et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Aboriginal Whaling Scheme allows unused portions of the catch limit to be carried forward and used in a future year, and this scheme was tested for robustness to gray whale hunts in Chukotka and found to improve access to whales by Chukotkan hunters while still meeting the IWC's conservation objectives.

    “The Aboriginal Whaling Scheme allows unused portions of the catch limit to be carried forward and used in a future year (IWC, 2019c), and this scheme was tested for robustness to gray whale hunts in Chukotka and was found to improve access to whales by Chukotkan hunters while still meeting the IWC's conservation objectives (Punt, 2020;IWC, 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites IWC, 2019c

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Punt, 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites IWC, 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The PCFG has experienced a lesser decline in abundance than the larger EBS that is slightly out of phase temporally with the EME.

    “However, the PCFG has experienced a lesser decline in abundance than the larger EBS that is slightly out of phase temporally with the EME (Harris et al., 2022;Punt et al., 2023).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Harris et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Punt et al., 2023

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premiseown data

    Nine whales had metagenomic bacterial screening, and three whales tested positive for Brucella sp., but none of these whales had lesions identified during necropsy that were consistent with a Brucella infection.

    “Nine whales had metagenomic bacterial screening, and three whales tested positive for Brucella sp., but none of these whales had lesions identified during necropsy that were consistent with a Brucella infection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Gray whale body condition at Sakhalin Island improved through the feeding season and overall body condition was significantly better or worse in particular years.

    “They found that gray whale body condition improved through the feeding season and that overall body condition was significantly better or worse in particular years.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bradford et al., 2012 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Some gray whales show fidelity to the coast of Chukotka and are therefore most likely to be affected by environmental conditions in that region.

    “Support for this hypothesis comes from studies that found some gray whales show fidelity to the coast of Chukotka (Heide-Jørgensen et al., 2012;Filatova et al., 2022) and are therefore most likely to be affected by environmental conditions in that region.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Heide-Jørgensen et al., 2012 source
    • cites Filatova et al., 2022 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The finding that the strong medicinal smell is from a natural origin helps eliminate hypotheses of pollution and biotoxins causing the condition and shows that the stinky whale phenomenon is not likely linked with conditions causing the past or current EMEs.

    “The finding that the strong medicinal smell is from a natural origin helps eliminate hypotheses of pollution and biotoxins causing the condition and show that the stinky whale phenomenon is not likely linked with conditions causing the past or current EMEs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The leading hypothesis for the current EME is that shifts in ecosystem productivity on the northern feeding grounds have led to increased nutritional stress for whales, making them more vulnerable to other sources of mortality or has directly led to starvation.

    “The leading hypothesis for the current EME is that shifts in ecosystem productivity on the northern feeding grounds have led to increased nutritional stress for whales, making them more vulnerable to other sources of mortality or has directly led to starvation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The primary sources of non-hunting human-caused serious-injury and mortality for gray whales are vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear, but occasionally entanglements occur in other marine debris or human made structures.

    “The primary sources of non-hunting human-caused serious-injury and mortality (NHHCSM) for gray whales are vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear, but occasionally entanglements occur in other marine debris or human made structures (Scordino et al., 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Scordino et al., 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The largest challenge in identifying diseases in dead gray whales is the rapid decomposition of internal tissues and a general lack of fresh carcasses suitable for histopathology.

    “The largest challenge in identifying diseases in dead gray whales is the rapid decomposition of internal tissues and a general lack of fresh carcasses suitable for histopathology.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Body condition of PCFG whales was worse than San Ignacio Lagoon whales until 2019, when the EME affected body condition of whales at San Ignacio Lagoon.

    “The body condition of PCFG whales was worse than San Ignacio Lagoon whales until 2019, when the EME affected the body condition of whales at San Ignacio Lagoon (Christiansen et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Christiansen et al., 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Under the IWC, the USA and Russia Federation share a catch limit of 140 gray whale strikes per year and a total of 980 strikes per six-year block management period.

    “Under the IWC, the USA and Russia Federation share a catch limit of 140 gray whale strikes per year and a total of 980 strikes per six-year block management period.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The population dynamics of the PCFG appear to be influenced by both internal recruitment through the addition of calves belonging to members of the feeding group and through immigration of non-calf whales likely from the NFG.

    “The population dynamics of the PCFG appear to be influenced by both internal recruitment through the addition of calves belonging to members of the feeding group and through immigration of non-calf whales likely from the NFG (Lang and Martien, 2012;Weller et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Lang and Martien, 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Weller et al., 2013

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Trials with a multiplier of 20x observed NHHCSM resulted in IWC range-wide model results that were not consistent with observations in the multi-stock population dynamics model, and these trials and the associated multiplier were considered to have low plausibility.

    “Trials with a multiplier of 20x observed NHHCSM resulted in IWC range-wide model results that were not consistent with observations in the multi-stock population dynamics model, and these trials (and the associated multiplier) were therefore considered to have low plausibility (IWC, 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites IWC, 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The PCFG experienced a rapid increase in abundance during the late 1990s and early 2000s, which is not explainable by survey bias or calf production alone, suggesting a pulse of immigration.

    “The PCFG experienced a rapid increase in abundance during the late 1990s and early 2000s, which is not explainable by survey bias (Laake, 2012) or calf production alone, suggesting a pulse of immigration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Laake, 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    EMEs may therefore be more frequent in the future, or the average carrying capacity of Arctic feeding may be reduced, limiting the maximum abundance of the EBS gray whales.

    “EMEs may therefore be more frequent in the future, or the average carrying capacity of Arctic feeding may be reduced, limiting the maximum abundance of the EBS gray whales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The factor of four was chosen using estimated recovery rates for coastal bottlenose dolphins because both species spend most of their time close to shore.

    “The factor of four was chosen using estimated recovery rates for coastal bottlenose dolphins (Carretta et al., 2016) because both species spend most of their time close to shore.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carretta et al., 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Photo-identification surveys regularly observe new non-calves in the PCFG, which suggests some level of regular immigration into the PCFG.

    “Photo-identification surveys regularly observe new non-calves in the PCFG (Harris et al., 2022), which suggests some level of regular immigration into the PCFG.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harris et al., 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Punt and Wade (2012) found that the best estimate of the maximum sustainable yield rate (MSYR) was 4.6% (posterior 90% interval 2.2-6.4%).

    “They found that the best estimate of the maximum sustainable yield rate (MSYR) was 4.6% (posterior 90% interval 2.2-6.4%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Punt and Wade, 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

66 of 66

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The parameter space evaluated in the 2020 Implementation Review remains an appropriate benchmark for assessing whether the current status of gray whale stocks requires a Special Implementation Review.

    “This paper presents a review of new scientific findings on gray whales to assess whether the current status of the stock(s) is within the parameter space tested in the 2020 IR.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EMEs and fluctuations in the carrying capacity of Arctic feeding may become more frequent in the future.

    “as EMEs and fluctuations in the carrying capacity of Arctic feeding may become more frequent in the future”
2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Reference dated before the year it reports

    Minor

    The reference says a report on whaling during 2022 was presented in 2019, three years before the reported activity.

  • Conflicting 2021/22 abundance confidence intervals

    Minor

    The introduction gives a single value, 15,335, as the 95% confidence interval for the 16,650-whale estimate. The abundance section reports the interval for that estimate as 15,170-18,335.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Cooke, J.G. (2018). Abundance estimates for western North Pacific gray whales for use with stock structure hypotheses of the range-wide review of the population structure and status of North Pacific gray whales. SC/67B/ASI/02 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, Bled, Slovenia, 2018. [Available from the IWC Publications Team]
  2. Durban, J.W., Weller, D.W. and Perryman, W.L. (2017). Gray whale abundance estimates from shore-based counts off California in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. SC/A17/GW/06 presented to the Fourth Range-wide Workshop on the Status of North Pacific Gray Whales, La Jolla, CA, USA, 2017. [Available from the IWC Publications Team]
  3. International Whaling Commission (2015). Report of the Workshop on the Range-wide Review of the Population Structure and Status of North Pacific Gray Whales. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 16: 489-528.
  4. International Whaling Commission (2016). Report of the Second Workshop on the Range-wide Review of the Population Structure and Status of North Pacific Gray Whales. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 17: 567-581.
  5. International Whaling Commission (2017). Report of the Third Workshop on the Range-wide Review of the Population Structure and Status of North Pacific Gray Whales. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 18: 643-671.
  6. International Whaling Commission (2018). Report of the Fourth Range-wide Workshop on the Status of North Pacific Gray Whales. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 19: 521-536.
  7. International Whaling Commission (2019b). Report of the Fifth Range-wide Workshop on the Status of North Pacific Gray Whales. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 20: 569-599.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Scordino, J., Bickham, J. W., Brandon, J. R., Brownell, R. L., Burdin, A., Doniol-Valcroze, T., Eguchi, T., Givens, G. H., Lang, A. R., Litovka, D. I., Nakamura, G., Punt, A. E., Stewart, J. D., Urbán R., J., & Weller, D. W.
Affiliations
  • NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (US)
  • Texas A&M University (US)
  • ICF International (United States) (US)
  • Russian Academy of Sciences (RU)
  • Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (JP)
  • University of Washington (US)
  • Oregon State University (US)
Corresponding author
Scordino, Jonathan
ORCID
Venue
J. Cetacean Res. Manage.
Publisher
International Whaling Commission
Published
2024-03-27
Volume
25
Pages
1-18
ISSN
  • 1561-073X (ISSN-L)
  • 2312-2706
  • 1561-0713
DOI
10.47536/jcrm.v25i1.942
OpenAlex
W4393234080
Cited by
2
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1
FWCI
0.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • ˜The œjournal of cetacean research and management. Special issue (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • NOAA Institutional Repository (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
gray whale, North Atlantic right whale, implementation review, fish stock status, calf productivity, population growth rate, strandings, population structure (demography)

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-26.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-26.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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