A North Atlantic right whale was recently sighted off the coast of Ireland.
Scientists are perplexed as to how or why this yet-unidentified whale is in such faraway waters from its normal habitat this time of year, but what is known is that climate change is affecting sea life on all levels, according to marine conservation group Oceana.
Right now there is also a group of 148 North Atlantic right whales (40% of the entire population) off the coast of New York/New Jersey — also not at all where they normally congregate and nobody knows why. Last month, they apparently turned around from Cape Cod and started swimming south again.
At the moment, these whales are swimming in peril within the areas of a voluntary speed zone – one that would be a mandatory dynamic speed zone if President Biden approved the proposed Vessel Speed Rule, according to Oceana.
Scientists say it is a mystery as to why North Atlantic right whales are there as they should be far north by now.
According to Oceana Campaign Director Gib Brogan:
“North Atlantic right whales are often driven by their need to find adequate quantity and quality food. The persistent large aggregation of whales in the Mid-Atlantic this summer may be a response to changing oceanographic conditions or we may just be learning about how these whales use this area. Regardless, they are in peril in this busy part of the ocean. The Biden administration has the authority and responsibility to make sure that right whales are protected from the threat of boat traffic across the U.S. Atlantic. But the U.S. government has waited for nearly two years to act on its proposal to update rules that are 16 years old. Whales are dying from boat strikes and the government acknowledges that more needs to be done. The delay in action inexcusable.”
