![humpback whale surfacing just under the Golden Gate Bridge](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/fa7/bcf/983/thumb__635_500_0_0_crop.jpg)
San Francisco Chronicle: In a Dramatic Change, Whales Are Now Hanging Around the Bay
- Behavior
- Climate change
In a dramatic change, whales are now hanging around in San Francisco Bay
Published in the San Francisco Chronicle: May 14, 2022
In decades past, humpback whales almost exclusively swam past the bay and stayed offshore during their annual migration from April to October. Now, a rising number are coming closer to the coast. Some venture into San Francisco Bay during peak season, and a few even stay in nearby waters year-round.
The new behavior is attributed mostly to a boost in their population and warming ocean temperatures, and the changes have major implications for everyone from tourists to the shipping and crab industries.
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![humpback whale breaching in front of San Francisco](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/cb3/764/6d5/thumb__237_185_0_0_crop.jpg)
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{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/f-rw22radiograph-examdr-sophie-whoriskey-l-and-megan-mcginnis-rcredit-heather-stocker-c-the-marine-mammal-centernoaa-permit-18786-03-144-15-1270-992-1721670262.jpg","alt":"Hawaiian monk seal in care at the marine mammal center receiving a radiograph exam","title":"Disney Recognizes Dr. Sophie Whoriskey\u2019s Work at The Marine Mammal Center in Hawaii to Save Monk Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/disney-recognizes-dr-sophie-whoriskeys-work-at-the-marine-mammal-center-in-hawaii-to-save-monk-seals","label":"Press Release","date":"2024-07-22 03:30:00"}
![Hawaiian monk seal in care at the marine mammal center receiving a radiograph exam](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/450/fac/baa/thumb__237_185_0_0_crop.jpg)
Disney Recognizes Dr. Sophie Whoriskey’s Work at The Marine Mammal Center in Hawaii to Save Monk Seals
July 22, 2024
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Hawaiian monk seals\/2024\/B. HMS_R8HA_in treatment at Ke Kai Ola_7.10.24_.jpg","alt":"Hawaiian monk seal in care at the marine mammal center","title":"Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal R8HA Receiving Life-Saving Care at The Marine Mammal Center After Rescue and Transport from Kaua\u02bbi","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/endangered-hawaiian-monk-seal-r8ha-receiving-life-saving-care-at-the-marine-mammal-center-after-rescue-and-transport-from-kauai","label":"Press Release","date":"2024-07-16 05:00:00"}
![Hawaiian monk seal in care at the marine mammal center](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/cf4/946/fd3/thumb__237_185_0_0_crop.jpg)
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal R8HA Receiving Life-Saving Care at The Marine Mammal Center After Rescue and Transport from Kauaʻi
July 16, 2024
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Gray whale\/cropped-images\/gray-whale-golden-gate-bridge-by-darrin-allen-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-permit-26532-628-43-1272-992-1721771368.jpg","alt":"gray whales seen in the San Francisco Bay ","title":"LA Times: Why are Gray Whales and Other Marine Life Visiting San Francisco Bay?","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/la-times-why-are-gray-whales-and-other-marine-life-visiting-san-francisco-bay","label":"In the News","date":"2024-07-14 02:00:00"}
![gray whales seen in the San Francisco Bay](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/80e/fc1/ce2/thumb__237_185_0_0_crop.jpg)
LA Times: Why are Gray Whales and Other Marine Life Visiting San Francisco Bay?
July 14, 2024
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Generic Image\/cropped-images\/sea lion release conservation technology-159-4-1270-992-1720535809.png","alt":"A California sea lion with a small satellite tracking device on its back runs through the sand. ","title":"Conservation Technology: 5 Innovations In Ocean Health","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/conservation-technology-5-innovations-in-ocean-health","label":"News Update","date":"2024-07-09 02:00:00"}
![A California sea lion with a small satellite tracking device on its back runs through the sand.](https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/storage/app/uploads/public/658/4ac/c56/thumb__237_185_0_0_crop.jpg)
climate change
Bill Keener
Humpback Whale