North Atlantic right whale

Oceana Finds Most Vessels Exceeding Speed Limits in Areas Designed to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Along U.S. Atlantic Coast

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Whale

Washington, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Oceana released a new report finding that most vessels are exceeding speed limits in areas designed to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, of which only around 360 remain. Oceana analyzed vessel speeds from 2017 to 2020 in speed zones established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) along the U.S. Atlantic coast, and found non-compliance was as high as almost 90% in mandatory speed zones, and non-cooperation was as high as almost 85% in voluntary areas.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Oceana released a new report finding that most vessels are exceeding speed limits in areas designed to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, of which only around 360 remain.
  • Collisions with vessels are one of two leading causes of injury and death for North Atlantic right whales.
  • Vessels are speeding, North Atlantic right whales are dying, and theres not enough accountability, said Whitney Webber, campaign director at Oceana.
  • Oceanas analysis shows that speeding vessels are rampant throughout North Atlantic right whales migration route, all along the East Coast, and in both mandatory and voluntary speed zones.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Announces Opening Date for Immersive Whale Exhibit

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Cetaceans, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Aquariums, Clearwater, North Atlantic right whale, Whale

CLEARWATER, Fla., March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Marine Aquarium proudly announces March 21 as the opening date for its fully immersive new exhibit, Whales: Living with Giants.

Key Points: 
  • CLEARWATER, Fla., March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Marine Aquarium proudly announces March 21 as the opening date for its fully immersive new exhibit, Whales: Living with Giants.
  • For many years, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute scientists and biologists have been working with NOAA and other partners to track, monitor, and protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium is also partnering with virtual reality entertainment group Immotion to bring a fully-immersive VR theatre complete with motion-platform seating to CMA during the exhibit.
  • "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Clearwater Marine Aquarium on this milestone installation," said Group Commercial Director, Rod Findley.

Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Succumbs To Entanglement Wounds

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Whale

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Afterover 4 months of suffering severe entanglement in heavy fishing gear, an 11-year old male North Atlantic right whale nicknamed Cottontail by researchers has died off the coast of South Carolina.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Afterover 4 months of suffering severe entanglement in heavy fishing gear, an 11-year old male North Atlantic right whale nicknamed Cottontail by researchers has died off the coast of South Carolina.
  • Since October, disentanglement attempts were made by both the Center for Coastal Studies and the International Fund for Animal Welfare .
  • Once numbering in the tens of thousands, less than 356 of these whales are now estimated to survive today.
  • The fishing gear was wrapped tightly around Cottontail's head, protruding from both sides of his mouth and dragging beyond his tail.

Most Vessels Ignored Voluntary Slowdown Meant to Protect Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 22, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Whale, Right whale, Marine mammal, Animal rights, North Pacific right whale, Whale conservation

At least 33 North Atlantic right whales have died since 2017, 21 of them in busy Canadian waters.

Key Points: 
  • At least 33 North Atlantic right whales have died since 2017, 21 of them in busy Canadian waters.
  • The report, The Edge of Extinction, outlines the plight of one of the most endangered marine mammals on the planet, with only about360 North Atlantic right whales left, and highlights steps the federal government must take to protect the remaining few and help ensure the species survival.
  • North Atlantic right whales are in crisis.
  • We know that slower speeds can help save right whales: the slower the vessel, the higher the likelihood of a whale surviving a collision.

Recent Calf Death a Blow in a Tenuous Tale of Survival

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 19, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, Right whale, Calf, Whale, Calving, Calve, North Atlantic right whale

Though the trend of this recent calving season is positive, the situation remains tenuous, given the recent tragic death of a calf reported just last week.

Key Points: 
  • Though the trend of this recent calving season is positive, the situation remains tenuous, given the recent tragic death of a calf reported just last week.
  • Ocean noise is a third factor, also immensely harmful to the species.
  • Sadly, one of the 15 calves born this calving season was reported dead and stranded off the coast of Florida on February 13th.
  • The calf showed obvious signs of trauma from vessel strike and is the first right whale death reported in U.S. waters this year, and the third calf death reported over the last thirteen months.

Government of Canada outlines its 2021 measures to protect North Atlantic right whales

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Whale, Right whale, Beluga whale, Killer whale, Whale watching, Whale conservation

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
  • Last season is proof that by working together, we can effectively protect North Atlantic right whales while also continuing to put high quality, sustainable seafood on dinner plates in Canada and around the world."
  • For the fifth consecutive year, we are implementing vessel traffic management measures for the 2021 season which incorporate evidence-based research and innovative tools to safeguard the North Atlantic right whales.
  • Budget 2018 included a $167.4 million Whales Initiative to help protect and support the recovery of endangered whale species in Canada, notably the North Atlantic right whale, the Southern Resident killer whale, and the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga.

Data from space could help protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Endangered species, Whale, Whale conservation, Moira Brown

By bringing together the top Canadian minds and satellite data, the smartWhales initiative will explore new techniques to further detect, monitor, and ultimately protect the North Atlantic right whale in Canadian waters."

Key Points: 
  • By bringing together the top Canadian minds and satellite data, the smartWhales initiative will explore new techniques to further detect, monitor, and ultimately protect the North Atlantic right whale in Canadian waters."
  • "The North Atlantic right whale is endangered and we must take every step possible to save them.
  • "Our government continues to invest in the protection of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
  • The North Atlantic right whale is endangered; there are approximately 366 remaining in the world.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Expands Aerial Survey Area to Track One of the Rarest Whales in the World

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Balaenidae, Baleen whales, Endangered animals, Cetaceans, Whale, Right whale, North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific right whale, Short-finned pilot whale

"These whales tend to migrate in shallower waters than other whales, which can put them near our dredging projects.

Key Points: 
  • "These whales tend to migrate in shallower waters than other whales, which can put them near our dredging projects.
  • Scientists estimate there are less than 400 right whales remaining, making them one of the rarest whales in the world.
  • Being able to track and monitor their movements brings awareness to the species and is critical to their survival.
  • "We are very excited to expand our aerial survey efforts this year,"said Melanie White, North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Project Manager.

Significant action taken in 2020 to protect North Atlantic right whales in Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Whale, Blue whale, North Pacific right whale

For the past several years, North Atlantic right whales have been increasingly present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Canada has taken significant action to protect them from entanglements in fishing gear and vessel collisions.

Key Points: 
  • For the past several years, North Atlantic right whales have been increasingly present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Canada has taken significant action to protect them from entanglements in fishing gear and vessel collisions.
  • The Government of Canada remains committed to taking all necessary actions to help reduce vessel collision risks to North Atlantic right whales."
  • "The 2020 adapted measures have helped keep North Atlantic right whales protected in Canadian waters.
  • According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are approximately 366 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world.

IFAW: Two critically endangered right whales discovered entangled in gear

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Whale, International Fund for Animal Welfare, British Divers Marine Life Rescue

NANTUCKET, Mass., Oct. 22,2020 /PRNewswire/ --In the past two weeks, two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have been spotted entangled in gear.

Key Points: 
  • NANTUCKET, Mass., Oct. 22,2020 /PRNewswire/ --In the past two weeks, two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales have been spotted entangled in gear.
  • The first entangled whale was seen on October 11 by whale watchers off the New Jersey coast.
  • The most recent entangled right whale was discovered on Monday off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, during an aerial survey conducted by the Center for Coastal Studies ( CCS ).
  • IFAW has been championing ropeless fishing gear in an effort to remove dangerous vertical buoy lines from the water column and drastically reduce the chance of whales becoming entangled.