Approximately 20,000 gray whales migrate past the Strait of Juan de Fuca annually. Sightings of gray whales have been made in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia in all months of the year, but most sightings occur in the spring and summer. Photographic identification techniques have demonstrated that some whales may stay for up to 4 months and can return annually. Varying numbers of gray whales have stranded dead in the inland waters in the spring and summer. Causes of death for these animals have included gill entanglements, boat collisions, killer whale attacks, and starvation. The gray whale is listed as a sensitive species by the state of Washington and they are considered vulnerable in British Columbia (blue list). For more information on gray whales research visit Cascadia Research Collective. For more information on the natural history of this species visit the Whale Museums' Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea compiled by Albert Shepard. To view the Washington State final gray whale status report visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.