Endangered Right Whale Death Linked to Maine Lobster Gear Sparks Call for Stricter Fishing Regulations

A North Atlantic right whale found dead off Martha’s Vineyard in January was confirmed to have died due to entanglement in Maine lobster fishing gear, according to federal authorities. This species, with a population of less than 360 individuals, is at the center of efforts to tighten regulations on shipping and commercial fishing activities along the East Coast.

The whale’s death highlights the ongoing challenges facing this endangered species and has reignited discussions about the need for stricter measures to protect them from fishing gear entanglements.

A necropsy conducted on the whale revealed that it suffered from “chronic entanglement,” with the fishing gear found to be consistent with ropes used in Maine’s lobster fishery. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that its law enforcement investigation into the circumstances surrounding the whale’s death remains open.

The incident has drawn attention to the precarious state of the right whale population, which has experienced a high mortality rate in recent years, further endangering their survival.

The tragic death of the right whale has intensified the debate between environmentalists and commercial fishermen regarding the necessity for stricter regulations on lobster fishing. Right whales are particularly susceptible to fatal entanglement in the ropes connecting lobster traps to surface buoys.

Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director for the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasized the dire consequences of such entanglements, calling it a horrific fate that could recur unless the fishing ropes posing a threat are removed from the water.

While environmental advocates call for more stringent measures, members of the Maine lobster fishing industry argue that significant progress has been made to avoid harming the whales. They point out that the vast majority of the lobster catch in the U.S. comes from Maine, where the industry is deeply integrated into the local economy, valued at over $460 million last year.

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association responded to the incident, stating that entanglements in Maine gear are extremely rare, noting that this was the first reported right whale entanglement in Maine lobster gear in two decades.

The right whale population has decreased by approximately 25% between 2010 and 2020, largely due to the historical impacts of commercial whaling and ongoing threats like entanglements and vessel collisions. As climate change alters their migration patterns and food sources, these whales are increasingly straying from protected areas, making them more vulnerable to dangers.

The combination of changing ocean conditions and their declining numbers has raised alarms among scientists and conservationists, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species.