Two endangered North Atlantic right whales have been discovered entangled in fishing gear near Massachusetts, posing a significant threat to their already dwindling population. With fewer than 400 of these whales remaining, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported sightings of the whales around 50 miles southeast of Nantucket on December 9. One, a juvenile, is gravely injured by a line across its head and back, while the other is an adult female with a lesser injury. NOAA is collaborating with experts to assess and potentially assist the whales, but the juvenile is not expected to survive.
This alarming incident coincides with recent data indicating a modest 4% rise in the whales' population since 2020, though overall numbers are still down by 25% from a decade prior. Gib Brogan of Oceana underscores the urgency for new safeguards to protect the whales, citing ongoing threats from fishing gear entanglement and ship collisions. Environmental advocates continue to campaign for heightened restrictions on commercial fishing and shipping practices.
The plight of these whales also draws attention to broader challenges, such as climate change impacting food availability and driving whales from protected zones. Amy Knowlton from the New England Aquarium highlights the recurring "distress" of entanglements, leading to fatal consequences and reduced reproduction. These whales, once plentiful along the East Coast and now federally protected, face a looming extinction risk, exacerbated by human-induced hazards. Conservationists stress the need for immediate action to prevent further decline. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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