Call for action to protect right whales

Following the death of another North Atlantic right whale off the coast of Georgia, USA, WDCS has renewed its plea for action to save this endangered species, of which less than 400 individuals remain.

The call follows the announcement by researchers in December, of the extinction of a 20 million year old species of dolphin, the Yangtze river dolphin, also known as the baiji. In the 1980’s, scientists estimated there were 400 baiji alive, only a remnant of the estimated 5,000 that once existed, but a number sufficient to allow recovery for the species if adequately protected. Sadly, over-fishing, vessel traffic, noise, habitat degradation and pollution continued to exert ever increasing pressure. The result? In less than 30 years, they are now extinct.

The similarities to the history and fate of the baiji and the North Atlantic right whale are close and as a result very alarming. Historically, thousands of right whales roamed the waters of the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada. However, over-hunting took its toll and the population has dwindled to the current day level of a less than 400. While protection from hunting was enacted in 1935, other human generated threats continue to pressure this species including those from vessel strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, pollution, habitat degradation as well as the increasing industrial development of our oceans.

“The parallels are frighteningly similar between the baiji and right whales” said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, WDCS Senior Biologist “fewer than 400 animals currently remain and the rate of loss from this population is unsustainable. It is not however unpreventable”.

The concern for the right whales was once again brought to the forefront when, on December 30th, Wildlife Trust aerial survey observers spotted a dead right whale off the coast of Georgia. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the agency charged under the Endangered Species Act with protecting these animals, even a single unnatural death each year will contribute to the demise of this species. Yet, this 41’ foot, juvenile male right whale is the 6th right whale to be killed unnaturally in 2006. At least five of the last six right whales have died prematurely- four were killed by vessels and one died entangled in fishing gear. These numbers do not reflect the animals that die, and are lost at sea or can not be recovered for operational safety reasons.

Proposed regulations which include mandating the use of modified fixed-fishing gear throughout the east coast and reducing the speed of ships in key habitat areas have been prepared, but are not yet enacted. WDCS is asking all interested and concerned citizens to immediately contact their senators and congressional representatives (contact information can be found by clicking on this link http://whales.org/USgovContacts.asp) and tell them these regulations need to be put in place before it is too late and the right whale joins the list of species we humans have eradicated forever. According to Asmutis-Silvia, “It took less than 30 years for the Baiji to go from a viable population to extinction. We have a voice which can ensure a different fate for right whales- we need to use it now.”.

Source: WDCS