Researchers are still puzzled by the recent deaths of 18 whales found near Kodiak Island.
One theory had been linked to an increase in toxic blooms according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Julie Speegle.
Speegle: “There’s naturally occurring algae blooms and in certain ocean conditions they just explode in population and they can have a toxic substance. If the population is low on those blooms they’re not problem but if there’s a lot of those blooms they can increase toxicity, especially for animals that live in the water.”
The whale carcasses were found between Memorial Day weekend and early July.
Marine Mammal Specialist Kate Wynne has samples taken from one of the ten fin whales were over a week old meaning that could throw results off.
The increased algal blooms are linked to warmer ocean temperatures the Gulf of Alaska is experiencing.
Wynne says one test came back negative for one toxin that would be present in harmful algal blooms and another test is still pending.
Other test results also are pending.