Special Investigation Into Right
Whale Deaths on Atlantic Coast
The deaths of 13 right whales off Canada and the New England coasts prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to declare the deaths an "unusual mortality event." Ten dead whales were confirmed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and two off Massachusetts in August. From a population of between 450 and 500, this many deaths is alarming. Eight were males; two were females. An additional whale stranded in Cape Cod last April to bring the total to 13.
Of concern is that the deaths occurred over such a brief period. When dealing with a population of less than 500, it's two to three percent of the entire population. There were low birth rates during calving seasons off the coast of the southeastern United States.
This brings into question the long-term future of the whales.
The population is "fragile" said David Gouveia, protected species monitoring program branch chief for NOAA fisheries.
Ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement continue to threaten the animals. Canadian researchers are working to complete the necropsies on some of the whales. They hope to have it completed as soon as possible.
Canada and the U.S. have formed a working group to collaborate and look at the science and management needed to try and better protect the whales.
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