BOSTON, MA — The tragic death of a North Atlantic right whale reported on February 13th off the coast of Georgia has been attributed to a fatal collision with a vessel, announced NOAA today. Despite ongoing efforts to determine the exact cause of death through necropsy examinations, preliminary findings suggest blunt force trauma consistent with a vessel strike. The deceased whale, identified as a female born to first-time mother Pilgrim during the 2022-2023 calving season, highlights the urgent need for enhanced protections for this critically endangered species.
With only approximately 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining, the population faces imminent threats from vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear across their habitats in the U.S. and Canada. The death of #5120 marks the fifth reported fatality or critical injury among North Atlantic right whales in 2024, further exacerbating the species' decline. Additionally, the recent loss of another juvenile female and the 2024 calf of Juno, along with the disappearance of calves belonging to Half Note and #3780, underscore the pressing need for immediate action to mitigate human-induced threats.
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Executive Director of WDC-NA, expressed dismay at the escalating toll of human-caused mortality on North Atlantic right whales. "We have already exceeded sustainable loss rates for the population this year alone," Asmutis-Silvia emphasized. "The continued inaction by policymakers to implement protective measures is unacceptable and imperils the future of this species."
Efforts to compel regulatory action have been met with legal challenges, as conservation groups, including Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, and Defenders of Wildlife, petitioned a federal court to expedite litigation regarding expanded protections for North Atlantic right whales. The proposed rule seeks to address critical gaps in existing regulations and enhance safeguards for mother-calf pairs vulnerable to vessel strikes during calving season.
Erica Fuller, Senior Counsel at Conservation Law Foundation, stressed the urgent need for revised regulations tailored to the evolving distribution of right whales and the expanding threats they face. "These deaths are tragic and preventable," Fuller asserted. "It is imperative for regulators to prioritize the adoption of comprehensive protections to ensure the survival of these critically endangered whales."
The proposed speed rule expansion, if finalized, would represent a crucial step towards addressing the inadequacies of existing regulations. By broadening the scope of protected vessels and updating seasonal speed zones to align with right whale distribution patterns, the proposed rule aims to mitigate the risk of vessel strikes and enhance the species' chances of recovery.
Catherine Kilduff, Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, echoed calls for immediate action to prevent further loss of North Atlantic right whales. "Every death brings these beleaguered whales closer to extinction," Kilduff emphasized. "We cannot afford further delays in implementing science-based measures to safeguard their future."
As conservation groups push for expedited action through legal avenues, the fate of North Atlantic right whales hangs in the balance. With the ongoing delay in finalizing critical protections, urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss and secure the long-term survival of this iconic species.
Source: Caroline Mowdy (Feb 16, 2024). Critically endangered whale dies due to inaction of Biden administration. WDC. https://us.whales.org/2024/02/16/critically-endangered-whale-dies-due-to-inaction-of-biden-administration/?utm_source=cerkl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-03142024&cerkl_id=18769392&cerkl_ue=KGBTiylfcRMddFsi48S5wpNdEDvyFsn61lit7a6ZDQU%3D
