[ad_1]
Right Whales, Wrong Places
Right whales have always been a species at risk; their given name alone alludes to this. Back in the days of whale hunting, they were considered the “right” whale to hunt due to their thick layer of blubber causing their bodies to stay afloat after they were killed. Now, they’re still facing human-induced threats to their survival, albeit in different forms:
Entanglement – Immeasurable amounts of active and discarded fishing gear (known as ghost gear) floats within the waves that can tangle, twist and trap right whales as they’re traveling up and down the coast.
Climate Change – When prey shift their whereabouts due to warming waters caused by climate change, right whales follow, leading them into unprotected waters lacking regulations or looming with loftier obstacles.
Vessel Strikes – As a widespread shipping route and recreational reprieve, the ocean is increasingly occupied with fast-moving ships and boats that right whales run the (sometimes fatal) risk of colliding with.
As is true with any wild animal, the less interaction these whales have with humans — whether directly or indirectly — the better.
Social Distancing at Sea
One way to help safeguard right whales is to remain 500 yards away if you’re lucky enough to spot them, a requirement especially important if you’re in a vessel yourself.
[ad_2]
Source link
