NAR Whales See Slight Population Increase but Remain at Risk

AFP

Washington: One of the world’s rarest whale species, the North Atlantic right whale, has seen a slight population rebound, according to new data released on Tuesday.

The species’ population rose to 373 in 2023, marking a four percent increase from a low of 358 individuals recorded in 2020, based on estimates from scientists at the New England Aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Despite this modest improvement, experts caution that the species remains critically endangered, as the major threats of vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements have yet to be adequately addressed. Conservationists warn that the stabilization in population numbers should not be seen as a turning point for the species.

“While it is encouraging that the population has not decreased, we remain gravely concerned,” said Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

North Atlantic right whales, which can grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) long and have lifespans similar to humans, were once believed to number around 20,000 before commercial whaling decimated their population.

Whaling was banned in 1935, allowing for some recovery, with the population peaking at 483 in 2010. However, the species has since experienced a decade of decline.

Climate change is further complicating efforts to protect the whales, as it alters the distribution of zooplankton, their primary food source.

In an effort to mitigate the risks, NOAA proposed rule changes in 2022 to expand seasonal speed restrictions for vessels along the East Coast and lower the speed limit to 10 knots for vessels over 35 feet.

However, two years later, these proposals remain under review, facing opposition from the boating and fishing industries.

“The US government is too busy dealing in partisan politics rather than saving this species while we still have a fighting chance,” said Collins.

Entanglements in fishing gear continue to be a significant threat, with trapped whales often unable to move freely, feed, or breed, and some suffer fatal injuries. Promising developments in “on demand” fishing gear, such as traps that eliminate long buoy lines, are still in the early stages and not yet widely used.

Despite the slight population increase, human-caused fatalities remain high, with five confirmed whale deaths and four presumed lost calves in 2023 alone. Scientists emphasize that without stronger protections, the North Atlantic right whale remains at serious risk of extinction.