The North Atlantic right whale population has been in peril for nearly a decade, with 157 deaths or serious injuries reported since 2017 due to vessel strikes, entanglements, and other causes, prompting an official unusual mortality event declaration by NOAA. Despite the recent calving season confirming 11 mother-calf pairs, this number remains below the ideal 50 calves needed for population recovery. NOAA estimates the current population at approximately 370 whales, down from 431 in 2017 and 477 fifteen years ago, with only about 70 reproductive females remaining.
Entanglements continue to threaten the species’ survival, highlighted by a recent juvenile male right whale spotted entangled in the St. Lawrence estuary, originally identified in North Carolina in 2021. Oceana Canada is advocating for ropeless fishing gear to reduce entanglement incidents, with growing support from the fishing industry as global market shifts create new opportunities. Conservation groups remain vigilant, emphasizing that without increased calving and effective entanglement prevention, the species faces a looming crisis.
Swifteradio.com
