Latest news with #RightWhale
Yahoo
19-02-2025
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Officials share heartbreaking image of endangered whale: 'A slow and painful death'
An upsetting photo circulated by ABC 13 News reveals a North Atlantic right whale entangled in a fishing net off the East Coast, concerning environmentalists as the species nears extinction. There are fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales, whose numbers have decreased exponentially due to the fishing industry. Complications include ship collisions and gear entanglements. The whale was spotted via aerial view entangled in the net and "has not been seen again," according to Melanie White, who is the North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation Project Manager and a research biologist. This was the third of the endangered whales to be found entangled in fishing gear in the span of one week in December 2024. According to ABC 13 News, "Right whales' population fell about 25% from 2010 to 2020." Conservationists have said that the animals need new protections from commercial fishing to help mitigate their population decline. Once numerous off the East Coast, the whales were "devastated during the commercial whaling era" and have been a protected species for decades. Hundreds of thousands of marine animals are impacted by commercial fishing each year through overfishing or bycatching, which is the indirect fishing of animals usually compounded by commercial fishing waste. The International Fund for Animal Welfare, a global nonprofit advocating for animal safety in the face of the changing climate, told the harrowing truth about what happens to these whales caught in commercial fishing waste "For these whales, entanglements typically lead to a slow and painful death caused by either starvation, infected lacerations, increased susceptibility to disease, extreme stress, or drowning," IFAW wrote in a post on the effects of bycatching. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The whales have been a protected species for decades. They are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Nevertheless, they are impacted by the commercial fishing industry, which is notorious for environmental degradation. It causes about 50% to 100% of plastic debris found in some parts of the ocean, according to the Marine Pollution Bulletin. Accordingly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has adopted measures to reduce harm to right whales. They include efforts to reduce vessel strikes, reduce entanglements, and address ocean noises. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
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Whale Seen Cradling Her Newborn Calf Like a Human Mom Stops People in Their Tracks
Recently, a marine aerial survey team caught a stunning photo of a North Atlantic Right Whale swimming with a newborn calf off the coast of Florida. The whale in question is well known to researchers, who have tracked her for years, and this is her third known calf. What makes this picture so unusual though is the whale's position. She's floating on her back, cradling the baby on her belly between her flippers, a 'cradling' position familiar to everyone who has ever held a baby in their arms. Whale moms—they're just like us. Cashew is a twenty-three year old North American Right Whale named for a mark on her head that looks a bit like a cashew nut. She's had three known calves, and the oldest, a male, is still often seen Atlantic Right Whales migrate throughout the year, usually giving birth in warmer waters like those in Florida, then going north for the summer to feed off the coast of New England. This is the ninth new Right Whale calf spotted this year. Although good news, this is not enough whales to keep the population steady. There are only about 370 North Atlantic Right Whales in existence, and they need to have between forty to fifty calves a year to keep their population from declining further. It is believed that due to the stress from shipping traffic, Right Whales calve later, and have fewer claves during their lifetime. And of course, there are many difficulties with making sure the calves they do have survive to adulthood. Cashew is the only living offspring of her mother. Legend has it that Right Whales received their name because of their designation by whalers that they were the 'right' whale to hunt, but it's more likely it's just an archaic way of calling them a 'true whale.' Nevertheless, it is true that right whales were hunted nearly to extinction for centuries. They were a popular whale to hunt because they often swam in shallower waters where they could be spotted from the land or ranging boats. Also, they are slower swimmers, which made it easier to hunt them, and after death, they would often float, which made it easier for whalers to harvest their carcasses. Hunting of these whales was banned internationally in 1937, but they were still hunted by many international communities for decades to follow. Today, the biggest threats facing these endangered creatures is collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing lines. All three species are considered endangered, so it's wonderful to see a new calf with its mother. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass. Environmental Trust hosting auction to fund protection of aquatic, marine habitats
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) is hosting an auction to benefit MET grant funding to support the protection and preservation of aquatic and marine habitats and promote youth environmental stewardship. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the whale plate, MET is launching a 2025-2026 Fundraising Campaign, to raise $1,000,000 for MET's grant programs and endowment. MET will offer a series of live online auctions of license plates with numbers 1-999. On January 30, MET will debut the first of several auctions with 30 license plates to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Right Whale plate. Available license plates depict the fluke of a Northern Right Whale and the Roseate Terns bird, both endangered species in Massachusetts. Over the next two years, more plates 1-999 will be up for auction in both the Right Whale (RW) prefix and the Roseate Tern (RT) prefix. 'Without dedicated citizens purchasing MET license plates and donating to the Trust, the grants that support numerous grassroots conservation efforts and organizations would cease to exist,' said MET Program Manager Kim Tilas. 'Your purchase of Right Whale and Roseate Terns license plates ensures that there are certified disentanglement team members, and trained researchers on-call every day of the year.' Since 1997, funds generated by the whale plate have been given to the disentanglement and rescue operations of the Massachusetts Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program. 'As a Massachusetts resident you have the choice to select a charitable specialty plate to show your support or raise awareness for many important causes,' said Massachusetts Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. 'The RMV is proud to help facilitate the issuance of a specialty plate during our initial vehicle registration or at your vehicle registration renewal. You can demonstrate your concern about pollution, wildlife, disappearing open space, and the quality of water that sustains Right Whales, Brook Trout, Striped Bass, or the Blackstone Valley by selecting one of these plate options.' There are 30 plates available for auction, to sign up for the auction and purchase plates securely or to donate to MET's grant-making program visit the link here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
