Does The North Atlantic Right Whale Face Extinction?

Mortality due to human activities

The North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis had been hunted intensively by human for commercial purposes.

The North Atlantic right whales have been hunted down for long time period, around 40 years or from 1890 to 1930. Hunting for their:

- meat

- oil

- baleen

Whaling license is terminated since 1930, and even USA government prohibits individuals or institution or human vessels to approach North Atlantic right whale within 457 m or 1500 ft distance. 

However, whale population is not recovered as normal as before 1890. Eubalaena glacialis is about 411 only in current estimation.

Surprisingly, mature female is predicted 90 to 100 only. No breeding was detected for last year, 2018.

Whales in the ocean (credit to Google)

Low breeding rate combined with mortality due to human activities such as ship strikes and entanglement, lead whales to nearly in extinction phase.

The North Atlantic right whale is considered as most endangered species compared to other whales.

Luckily, scientists have been detected totally 7 whale’s babies this year (2019), included 3 in recent weeks.

The mature whales come to breeding ground in coast off Georgia and Florida during winter season. Temperature is quite higher in southern part compared to northern part of America.

In spring and summer, whales and their calves goes back to their feeding ground in New England, Northern America, includes Canada.

Unfortunately, it is predicted that the North Atlantic right whales would extinct by next 20 years if these things continue to happen:

- High mortality of whales due to human activities.

- Lower breeding rate

Human activities included, but not limited to:

- entanglement of fishing gear

- ship strikes

- vessel noises

Have You an idea to prevent the North Atlantic Right Whale from extinction?