An alarming discovery was made off the East Coast as a third endangered North Atlantic right whale was spotted entangled in fishing gear, further highlighting the threats faced by this species on the brink of extinction. With a population of fewer than 400 individuals, these whales are highly susceptible to ship collisions and entanglement in gear, putting their survival at risk.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that an aerial survey located an entangled whale approximately 60 miles east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on December 16. Prior to this, two entangled right whales were found off Nantucket, Massachusetts, with one of them sustaining serious injuries that may prove fatal due to the entanglement.
NOAA stated that entanglement response teams are on standby, but adverse weather conditions have hindered an immediate rescue effort. Once conditions improve, authorized responders and experts will collaborate to monitor the entangled whale and provide necessary assistance.
The entangled whale off North Carolina, identified as a juvenile male born in 2021, has multiple lines wrapped around its head and mouth. Despite initial sightings, the whale has not been located again, raising concerns about its well-being.
North Atlantic right whales undertake a perilous migration along the East Coast, from birthing grounds in Florida and Georgia to feeding areas in New England and Canada. However, warming waters and changes in food availability have disrupted their traditional habitats, increasing the risks they face during their journey.
Over the past decade, the population of right whales has declined by approximately 25%, with a slight recovery in recent years. Conservationists emphasize the urgent need for enhanced protections to prevent the extinction of these majestic creatures, which were decimated during the commercial whaling era and have since been safeguarded as a protected species.
