What's happened
Recent aerial surveys revealed two North Atlantic right whales entangled in fishing gear off Nantucket. One whale, male #5110, is likely to die from severe injuries, while female #4120 has a sublethal injury. Conservationists emphasize the urgent need for protective measures as the species nears extinction.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the entangled male whale #5110 is likely to die from severe injuries, while female #4120 has a sublethal injury. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that they will monitor the whales and document the entanglements. AP News noted that the population of North Atlantic right whales has seen a slight uptick, but cautioned that they still face existential threats. Gib Brogan from Oceana emphasized the need for new safeguards, stating, 'These whales are not statistics; they are living beings enduring unimaginable suffering caused by human activities.' This sentiment is echoed by conservationists who argue for stricter regulations on fishing and shipping to protect these endangered mammals.
How we got here
North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered, with fewer than 370 remaining. They face threats from fishing gear entanglements and ship collisions. Conservation efforts have been ongoing since they were federally protected in 1935, but their population has declined significantly due to human activities.
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Massachusetts, officially known as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.
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The North Atlantic right whale is a baleen whale, one of three right whale species belonging to the genus Eubalaena, all of which were formerly classified as a single species.