Entanglement response teams alongside an entangled North Atlantic right whale in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. Credit: The Centre for Coastal Studies.
North Atlantic right whale numbers have continued to decline over the past decade. With only 360 individuals left, they are now among the most endangered whale species in the world. North Atlantic right whales, described as urban whales due to their presence in heavily populated waters off the east coast of the USA and Canada, face numerous hazards during their migration. It includes fishing ropes, particularly from lobster and crab pots, and maritime traffic. Reed emphasised the critical need to address the impact of entanglements on North Atlantic right whales. “This study highlights that all types of entanglement in fishing gear impact females’ ability
to calve, helping address one of the big, outstanding questions for saving North Atlantic right whales.” Statistical ecologist Assistant Professor Leslie New also stressed the importance of the study’s methodology in informing conservation efforts and calls for urgent action to address entanglement risks. “Weak rope technology won’t solve the problem of female right whales’ poor calving. We urgently need to get all rope out of the water for this species to start recovering,” co-author Dr Peter Corkeron added.
STUDY UNTANGLES MYSTERY OF CRITICALLY LOW CALF COUNT
Massachusetts
United States
We dive into the harrowing reality faced by North Atlantic right whales, navigating waters plagued by ghost fishing gear. René Laing digs deeper to learn what getting entangled means for their future.
I magine the terror of being stuck in ghost fishing gear, fighting for survival amidst the vast expanse of the ocean. Yet, by miraculously breaking free, one would expect a brighter future. However, this is not true for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. A study based on 40 years of data gathered on 199 female right whales shed light on the devastating toll of fishing gear entanglements on these majestic marine mammals. Conducted by marine science doctoral candidate Joshua Reed and a team of scientists from Ursinus College and Griffith University in Australia, the study finally gave insight into their declining numbers.
“Poor calving is one of the major factors behind the decline of North Atlantic right whales, and until now, the reason for their failure to calve was unclear,” said Reed. We often underestimate the severity of injuries resulting from entanglements is often, yet even minor injuries could have a significant impact. Their research further revealed that pre- breeding age female whales that survive entanglements classed as ‘minor’ were the least likely to transition to breeding, with individuals in this class being 47% less likely to breed than those who were never entangled.
An entangled male North Atlantic right whale seen swimming approximately 50 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
IDENTIFICATION North Atlantic right whales have white calluses on their head. It has a broad back without a dorsal fin and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye.
70 TONNES The weight of a North Atlantic right whale
DISTRIBUTION East Coast of the United States of America and Canada
10 000 The estimated species numbers before commercial whaling in the 18th and 19th centuries
90% The percentage of whales entangled at least once.
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