When one is confronted with extinction risk and proactive mitigation strategies, North Atlantic right whales tend to demolish. Dasgupta’s recent estimates point to a slight, wobbling population fast-headed toward extinction.
Records for 2023 indicated an alarming number of only about 372 of these gentle giants. While the figure is an increase from the previous year’s record of 356, the problem is dire nonetheless.
Though there are abundant threats to these whales from other sources, including vessel misuse of some fishing gear, four North Atlantic right whales were killed between 2004 and 2005.
Additional international governments are still urged, therefore, to help the NOAA, Fisheries, and Oceans Canada, and Transport Canada in their efforts to achieve redress.
Oceana is a prominent organization that strongly advocated for ocean conservation in response to these happenings concerning the North Atlantic right whale.
“While it is hopeful that there is an increase in population, the North Atlantic right whales that are washing up dead on our shores speak for themselves: we must stop killing them,” said Gib Brogan, Oceana’s U.S. campaign director.
“Five of this year’s calves were killed or are missing and presumed dead, in addition to the first calf of the season that was struck by a ship and died a slow, painful, and preventable death.”
Brogan noted that NOAA’s proposed ship speed rule to replace slow ship zones could have covered these whales when they were most vulnerable, but this plan is gathering dust after more than 800 days.
“President Biden must pass and implement the updated boat speed rule soon before we see mothers and their calves on our shores this calving season instead of in our waters.”
Stopping two of the biggest threats to whales
Kim Elmslie, campaign director for Oceana Canada, highlighted the need for action. “Today’s news that the North Atlantic right whale population has improved slightly is good, but the threats from ship movements and entanglements are still present.”
Elmslie said right whales have faced a devastating year, with nine deaths and five entanglements. She said more must be done to stop the two main threats to right whale survival: ship movements and entanglements in fishing gear.
“To ensure whales and fisheries can coexist in Canada, authorities must implement ropeless fishing gear in high-risk regions. Furthermore, all ship speed reductions should be mandatory and applied across the entire range in which right whales are found to reduce rendition movements.”
Once thriving, now suffering.
North Atlantic right whales were once a frequent sighting on beaches. Moving at a slow pace, they were easy targets for competitive whalers. Their population dropped dramatically from 21,000 to fewer than 100 individuals during the 1920s.
Whaling was banned in 1935. In 2010, they showed a promising recovery to about 483 individuals. However, their numbers have been declining since then, putting them back on the endangered species list.
Deadly dangers whales face
Strikes with ships are a big risk, as these whales swim slowly, close to the ground, and their dark color makes them difficult to identify. This, coupled with the inability to move quickly, ends in deadly encounters with ships.
Entanglement in fishing gear has crushed most of the whales, injuring them and impeding mobility, reproduction, and feeding.
85% of the population has been entangled at least once, thus fishing practices must change.
A recent nationwide survey in 2024 with the help of the nonpartisan polling house Ipsos sampled what the American public felt.
Findings from the polls speak in a unanimous voice; it is significant to protect North Atlantic right whales from threats induced by human actions, according to 86% of American citizens.
On the whole, 83% of respondents agree that human activities—chiefly those connected with shipping, navigation, and other activities—are posing risks to the whales.