Their collision with ocean going vessels is the leading cause of death among endangered Right whales in the North Atlantic. Two federal agencies of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are working to reduce the number of ship strikes occurring to these marine mammals.
Researchers have determined that there are two primary components involved with reducing Right whale ship strikes. They are responsible vessel practice and understanding the distribution of the whales within their critical habitat. Efforts to reduce whale mortality are quantified in NOAA's Ship Strike Reduction Strategy and the environmental studies related to protecting Right whales through this rulemaking.
Rulemaking Concerning the Ship Strike Reduction Rule
NOAA, through its Fisheries Service has been working on a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for formulating a Ship Strike Reduction Rule to lower the number of North Atlantic Right whales wounded or destroyed by collisions with ocean going vessels. The final version of the EIS has a number of alternatives available for public consideration and the version preferred by NOAA would see a reduction of vessel speed in areas designated as important habitat for the Right whales.
In a press release announcing the release of the final EIS, NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr says, "NOAA is looking forward to taking a significant step in our efforts to protect right whales. Our scientific analysis shows that a 10-knot speed limit in critical areas will significantly reduce the threat to these endangered marine mammals."
Steps Mariners Can Take Avoid Collisions with Right Whales
There are several precautionary measures that mariners operating large vessels can take to avoid striking Right whales with their ships. Federal law prohibits the approach of any vessel closer than 500 yards to any Right whale.
- Check for broadcasts of recent whale sighting made by the Coast Guard, on weather radio, by NAVTEX, or from local authorities
- Keep a sharp lookout for whales in the path of a vessel
- Reduce ship speed in conditions that limit forward visibility
- If a whale is seen, vessels should maintain safe distance and speed away from it
- Whales may not move out of the way of a vessel
- Right whales move slowly through the water, swimming at only 5 knots
- Swimming whales can suddenly change their direction of travel
- Right whales often travel in small groups. Sighting one whale means another may be nearby
- Collisions with whales need to be immediately reported to the Coast Guard
There are fewer than 300 Right whales in existence and the actions of mariners can make a huge difference in their ultimate survival. Efforts to preserve these endangered species include reducing ship speed in areas frequented by whales, increasing mariner understanding of the situation, preventing whale entanglement with fishing gear, and adjusting shipping lanes to avoid whales.
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
