Photo courtesy Virginia Aquarium Stranding (VAQ)

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is working to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. With fewer than 400 animals known to remain, the survival of each individual is vitally important to ensure the survival of this species. Since 1986, at least half of the known mortalities to this species have resulted from human-induced causes including entanglements in fishing gear and ship strikes. The rate of these tragic deaths may be on the increase.

Since January 2004 15 right whale deaths have been reported and confirmed. These data are a minimum estimate of the actual impact as they do not account for the numbers of animals that may have died at sea and gone undetected. At least eight of these mortalities were linked to ship strikes. Ten (67% of those confirmed deaths) of them were reproductively mature female and three of them were pregnant at the time of death. These data alone represent a loss of more than five percent of the total breeding population adding yet more pressure to this species.

One area where we can and need to dramatically improve our knowledge is in the year round distribution of right whales. Existing federally funded surveys operate seasonally, and only in specific areas leaving many right whales undetected and as a result putting them at an avoidable and unnecessary risk. To try and improve population distribution knowledge, WDCS has offered its right whale sightings data to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary as well as a number of research and conservation groups to help fill in these gaps.

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On the right is a map of WDCS data plotted by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary representing nine years worth of data. The 'X''s represent 2003, a year with an unusually high number of right whale sightings during the summer, a time when right whales are not thought to be in the area and, therefore, the risk to these animals are being underestimated. The light gray portion through the middle of the map denotes the "shipping lane" heading into Boston, an area of particularly high risk from ship strikes.

The WDCS, along with a number of conservation groups has requested that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implement emergency regulations to reduce the speed of ships in right whale habitat (petition letter). We have recently been alerted that the NMFS has denied our petition but we will not give up our fight to reduce the threat of ship strikes to right whales. However, we are continuing to work, collaboratively, with other groups demanding that the NMFS and the US Coast Guard meet their legal requirements by protecting this endangered species. Additionally, WDCS represents a conservation seat on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team and is a member of the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network. We are dedicated to working with fishermen all stake holders to reduce the risk of entanglement and ship strikes to these magnificent creatures.

Call to action - to help us in this critical work please donate online now or call 1.888.MY WHALE with your donation.