A third endangered North Atlantic right whale has been spotted entangled in fishing gear off the East Coast, marking an alarming end to the year for a species threatened with extinction. These whales, which number fewer than 400, are increasingly vulnerable to ship collisions and entanglements. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aerial surveys identified the entangled whale about 60 miles east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on December 16.
Just days prior, on December 9, two other entangled right whales were found near Nantucket, Massachusetts. NOAA officials stated both of these whales were critically injured due to entanglements and are unlikely to survive. “Entanglement response teams are on alert, though current weather conditions are not safe for mounting an immediate response,” NOAA said. They confirmed the commitment to work with authorized responders and trained experts to monitor the whale as conditions improve.
The juvenile male spotted off North Carolina was born in 2021, and NOAA noted he has several fishing lines wrapped around his head and mouth. Melanie White, the North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Project Manager and research biologist at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute who spoke about the incident, said, “The North Carolina whale has not yet been seen again.” This highlights the grave reality surrounding these majestic creatures.
North Atlantic right whales have historically migrated along the East Coast, giving birth off the coasts of Florida and Georgia and feeding off New England and Canada. Scientists have indicated this migratory route has become increasingly perilous. Changes to the warming waters have significantly altered prey availability, making these whales stray from protected ocean areas and inadvertently closer to dangerous fishing gear.
The population of North Atlantic right whales has significantly declined, falling approximately 25% from 2010 to 2020. Although the population seems to have ticked up slightly since then, conservationists insist these whales require new protections to prevent their extinction.
Once abundant along the East Coast, North Atlantic right whales were devastated during the commercial whaling era. Since gaining protected status, they have fought to regain numbers, only to face mounting challenges as human activities continue to threaten their survival.
This alarming trend of entanglements is just one facet of the challenges these whales face. Climate change, shifting prey availability, and increased vessel traffic all directly impact their navigation and survival. The arctic waters are warming, altering entire ecosystems and pushing marine life, including the right whales, to adapt quickly.
“We will work diligently as we can to find these whales and help them out of this predicament,” NOAA has committed. The organization is emphasizing the need for community awareness around the presence of these creatures and the regulations surrounding fishing gear to mitigate the risk of future entanglements.
Efforts to bolster the North Atlantic right whale population will require tireless advocacy by conservationists, strategic management of fisheries, and increased legislative protections to preserve their migratory routes. With their numbers dwindling, every right whale counts. The urgency to act is pressing: without immediate intervention, the fate of these endangered whales could be sealed.
Continued vigilance and immediate action could be the key to saving one of the ocean's most vulnerable species. Each discovery of entangled whales serves as sobering reminder: the North Atlantic right whale's struggle is indicative of broader environmental challenges we face as humans intersect with the natural world. With collaborative efforts, there remains hope for safeguarding their future.
