A North Atlantic right whale female calf has been found dead off of Martha’s Vineyard, a “devastating” loss as officials report that a rope was entangled around its tail.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries reported that a dead juvenile North Atlantic right whale was discovered off the northeast coast of Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday. NOAA Fisheries was notified of the dead female calf near Joseph Sylvia State Beach.
Marine experts have responded to the scene to investigate the cause of death, while they noted that the whale was found with a rope entangled around its tail.
“It’s devastating to hear about another loss to North Atlantic right whales,” said Gib Brogan, a campaign director of the advocacy group Oceana. “This death is even more troubling when it is a female calf that could have gone on to have many calves of her own for decades to come.
“The recovery of North Atlantic right whales cannot take any more setbacks,” Brogan added. “While we don’t know the cause of this calf’s death, entanglement with fishing gear and collisions with boats remain the top threats to the future of North Atlantic right whales.”
Since 2017, at least 55 North Atlantic right whales have been killed or seriously injured by boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, according to the organization.
The critically endangered species has a population estimate of just 356 whales, and the species is at risk of functional extinction over the next 12 to 15 years, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium reported.
“While we don’t know the cause of death yet, we know that entanglements can lead to long term suffering and death,” said Sarah Sharp, animal rescue veterinarian of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. “We also know that entanglements must be prevented to save this species from extinction.”
“The adoption of on-demand gear keeps right whales swimming and fisherman fishing,” said Kathleen Collins, senior campaign manager of IFAW. “Through the use of this gear, fisherman are able to access fisheries otherwise closed during key times of the year while reducing the risk of entanglement to the right whale.”
IFAW has advocated for the adoption of on-demand or “ropeless” fishing gear to reduce the risk of right whale entanglements.
When it comes to the dead whale along Martha’s Vineyard, NOAA Fisheries and IFAW will work closely with the Massachusetts Environmental Police and local responders on next steps. A necropsy will be performed when weather conditions improve. Due to the animal’s position, the whale could not be immediately identified.
