News Summary
A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale has been sighted near Boston Harbor, prompting safety alerts for local boaters. This whale, part of a population of around 370, was first observed by marine researchers and poses a potential risk due to its location in busy waters. Authorities remind boaters to maintain a safe distance and slow down to prevent harmful encounters. Scientists are urging the public to report sightings, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in conservation efforts as boat traffic increases in the area.
Boston – A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale has been sighted near Boston Harbor, sparking safety alerts for local boaters. The whale, part of a dwindling population estimated to be only about 370 individuals, was first observed by researchers from the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries on May 7 and was confirmed again by NOAA scientists days later. The whale is currently navigating waters less than 2,000 miles from Castle Island in South Boston, presenting an opportunity for the public to potentially view the marine mammal from land.
Marine scientists urge boaters to exercise caution, recommending that vessels maintain a safe distance and slow down in the vicinity of the whale. The close proximity of the whale to the busy harbor highlights concerns about the potential for harmful encounters, as vessel strikes and rope entanglements are the two leading threats to the North Atlantic right whale population.
The presence of the whale anger in the harbor area coincides with an increase in boat traffic, prompting authorities to remind watercraft operators of established regulations: boats must remain at least 500 yards away from any right whale. The absence of dorsal fins on these whales makes them more challenging to spot from a distance, elevating the risks of accidental collisions.
Public engagement is essential, with scientists encouraging anyone who sees the whale to take photographs and report sightings using the Whale Alert app. Notably, while sightings of right whales near Massachusetts are not uncommon, this season has been marked by unusual movements of these marine mammals.
Previous notable sightings include two female right whales observed traveling from their calving grounds in Florida to the Gulf of Mexico near Alabama, as well as a mother and calf pair that evaded researchers as they returned to New England from their calving sites. In another noteworthy development, over 75 North Atlantic right whales were seen in nearby shipping lanes south of Massachusetts, prompting NOAA Fisheries to create a voluntary Slow Zone in the area to protect the whales.
The New England Aquarium explained that whales are likely feeding within these shipping lanes, where a high volume of vessels typically operate. Aerial surveys conducted by the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life recently indicated the presence of more than 60 right whales on April 23 and additional sightings of 40 whales on April 28, marking this year’s aggregation of right whales as one of the largest observed in recent years.
The increasing visibility of whales close to the surface poses significant risks for potential collisions with vessels, leading to alerts being issued to maritime traffic in the vicinity. Collaboration between researchers, regulatory bodies, and maritime industries has been deemed crucial for developing effective measures to mitigate risks to this endangered species.
A notable sighting in this context was Calvin, a right whale with a documented history of severe entanglements and orphaning. He has not been seen for nearly three years, raising further concerns about the survival of the species. The New England Aquarium has reported documenting over 168 individual North Atlantic right whales, which is nearly half of the total estimated population.
The North Atlantic right whale is recognized as one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Conservation efforts continue to focus on reducing human-related threats, particularly in areas where these whales are frequently encountered.
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Additional Resources
- MassLive: Rare whale spotted in mouth of Boston Harbor
- Wikipedia: North Atlantic Right Whale
- Boston 25 News: Slow down, mariners warned about North Atlantic Right Whales
- Google Search: North Atlantic Right Whale
- NBC Boston: Large group of endangered North Atlantic right whales spotted
- Google Scholar: North Atlantic Right Whale
- CBS News: Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Atlantic Right Whale
