It is thought there are only 300 remaining North Atlantic Right Whales. What is reported below is a catalog of death and inaction that threatens this critically endangered species.
In November of 2004, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) solicited comments on a proposed plan to protect North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes. Yet, more than 15 months later, no protective measures have been put in place and the plan has yet to be issued.
In the last two years, at least 12 right whales have died and, in at least half of those cases, ship strikes were suspected. Of these 12, 6 are known to be female and 2 are known to be calves. To remove this number of reproductively viable females from an already critically endangered species increases the pressures dramatically on the population.
A coalition of conservation groups, including the WDCS, petitioned for emergency regulations to protect right whales but the petition was denied by the NMFS. Some of these groups have moved forward to pursue legal action to mandate that the NMFS and the United States Coast Guard (USGS) uphold the law and enforce the regulations in place and protect this critically endangered species.
Below is a timeline of events indicating the delay in action taken by NMFS and the loss to this fragile population that has resulted.
We urge you to help us pressure NMFS and the USCG to uphold their statutory obligations to protect this species.
Please send a letter, or postcard, requesting that the proposed plan to protect North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes be implemented immediately.
They should be sent to:
CARLOS GUTIERREZ
Secretary
Department of Commerce
14th Street and
Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230,
WILLIAM T. HOGARTH
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
National Marines Fisheries Service
1335 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910,
MICHAEL CHERTOFF
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528,
ADMIRAL THOMAS H. COLLINS
Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20593
YOUR SENATOR
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Timeline:
November 2004
NMFS comment deadline for Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) regarding the proposed strategy to address risk to North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis from ship strikes in the Atlantic [69 Fr 30857].
April 2005
Comment deadline for US Coast Guard's (USCG Port Access Route Study (PARS) to analyze potential vessel routing measures and consider adjusting existing vessel routing measures in order to reduce vessel strikes of the highly endangered North American right whale [Coast Guard docket number USCG-2005-20380].
Between November 2004 and April 2005- 6 dead right
whales; 2 full term pregnant females; 3 sexually mature females;
one unknown adult. Three animals died from strikes, one from entanglement.
Two carcasses were not retrieved so ship strikes can not be ruled
out.
May 2005
Conservation groups, including the WDCS, petition NOAA/NMFS for Initiation of Emergency Rulemaking to Prevent the Extinction of the North Atlantic Right Whale
Between April and May of 2005 - dead female right
whale - ship strike suspected
June 2005
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) denies endorsement of speed restrictions to protect right whales.
July 2005
Comment deadline for National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Strategy [70 Fr 36121]
Science publishes letter from right whale scientists urging emergency regulations to protect species
July 2005 - Right whale strike reported- severity
of injury unknown
September 2005
NOAA/NMFS denies the petition from the conservation groups for Initiation of Emergency Rulemaking to Prevent the Extinction of the North Atlantic Right Whale
November 2005
A coalition of conservation groups submits a Notice of Intent to Sue USCG under the Endangered Species Act for failing to protect right whales.
A coalition of conservation groups sues NMFS for "arbitrary and capricious" denial of the Emergency regulations petition.
January 2006 -two dead right whale calves- one ship
strike, one suspected human interaction. A third calf is reportedly
struck off TX in the Gulf of Mexico. Right whales are not known
to utilize the Gulf of Mexico, these sightings may indicate the
whales are utilizing new habitats where protection measures do
not currently exist.
January 2006
Following the above a conservation group petitions the USCG to establish emergency zone around Jacksonville, FL.
The USCG immediately denies petition.
February 2006
The coalition of conservation groups files to amend their complaint to include both the USCG and NMFS in the same suit.
The NMFS argues for denial of the amendment.
The Judge awards the amendment.
May 2006
Dead right whale off of New York, cause of death could not be determined as carcass was not retrieved.
July 2006
Dead female right whale, New Brunswick, Canada- Ship Strike.
September 2006
Dead female right whale, Nova Scotia, Canada- Ship Strike.
October 2006
Oct. 25th - Judge Friedman issued an Order instructing NMFS to file a notice regarding when the ship strike rule will be finalized.
November 2006
NMFS responds to the courts request and indicates the rule to slow ships down will not go into effect before June 2007.
Click here to read the autopsy results from the Humpback whale found on Lombardsijde near Nieuwpoort on Sunday morning 5 March 2006.
Source: WDCS
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