A North Atlantic right whale was found dead off the US East Coast this week, less than two weeks after another deceased whale was discovered in the Atlantic Ocean.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated the whale was discovered on a remote barrier island off the state of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This whale was identified as a 3-year-old female and the calf of “Porcia” (#3293).
Porcia has had two other known calves, both of which previously died. The cause of this death is not yet known. Officials plan to conduct an investigation despite the logistically challenging location.
This is the second confirmed death of a North Atlantic right whale this year. Last month, a North Atlantic right whale named “Division” was found dead off the coast of North Carolina. NOAA determined the whale died due to injuries from its entanglement in fishing gear. Entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes continue to be the two biggest threats to the survival of this species.
There are only around 380 of these critically endangered whales left in the world, including around 70 breeding females.
Nora Ives, a marine scientist with Oceana, said:
“This is an endless tug of war between hope and despair for North Atlantic right whales, and today, despair is winning. Another whale is gone, a young female that could have helped contribute to the future of a population already on the brink of extinction. We can and we must do better. Stronger protections and proven solutions are needed, but both depend on adequate funding and staffing at NOAA. They also require full implementation of bedrock laws like the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act that help secure a future for these creatures. It’s time for US leaders to fight for the future North Atlantic right whales deserve.”
A 2008 vessel speed rule requires seasonal slowdowns for vessels in US waters along the East Coast. The rule sets speed limits for vessels 65 feet/20 meters and longer in areas where right whales and vessel traffic overlap seasonally.
Jane Davenport, a senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife, added:
“Another female right whale — the future of this species — has lost her life. We urgently need more right whale protections, not fewer. The Trump administration’s apparent determination to weaken the vessel speed rule could not come at a worse time. Although developing technologies may one day augment mandatory speed limits, we cannot run a high-tech experiment on the right whale’s survival.”
Economic data analysis has found only minor direct costs — between roughly US$28 million/~€23.6 million to $40 million/~€33.7 million annually, 58–70% of which is borne by the container ship sector — with no detectable impact on the volume or economic activity at ports, according to Defenders of Wildlife:
“With a population of roughly 384 individuals and only 70 breeding females, the North Atlantic right whale is at serious risk of extinction if additional conservation measures to reduce entanglements and vessel strikes are not implemented quickly.”
Heather Pettis, a senior scientist in the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center, said:
“To say that this death is disheartening, particularly so soon after the death of Division two weeks ago, would be an understatement. This young female was seen in October with no sign of injury or compromised health. We are hopeful that an examination of the carcass will provide insights into her cause of death.”
