Conservation Efforts May Mean Endangered Blue Whale Population Rebounds

Scientists studying the endangered blue whale have reason to be hopeful, as a new study suggests that conservation efforts may be helping to bolster the population.

The whale has been listed as endangered since 1970, with its population estimated at around 5,000. The new study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, used photo identification and genetic analysis to determine that the population has grown by at least 10 percent since 2003.

The study's lead author, Sara Maxwell of NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA, says that the growth is likely due to a combination of factors including international agreements to protect the whales and restrictions on whaling.

Blue whales are among the largest animals on Earth, reaching up to 100 feet in length and weighing up to 200 tons. They are found in all oceans but are most commonly seen in temperate and cold waters.

Maxwell says that more research is needed to determine whether the growth is sustainable, but she is cautiously optimistic. "We're seeing a little glimmer of hope for this species," she said. "It's not back up to historical levels yet, but it seems like things might be turning around for them."

Entangled Whale Freed by Boaters After More Than Two Hours

More than two hours after becoming entangled in fishing gear, a humpback whale was finally freed by a small flotilla of boaters Sunday morning near Dana Point Harbor.

The juvenile humpback whale was first spotted about 8:30 a.m. tangled in a gill net, said Dave Anderson, captain of the Newport Coastal Adventure tour boat.

"We motored over as fast as we could and saw that it was wrapped up pretty good in the net," Anderson said.

The whale was dragging at least 100 yards of net behind it as it swam, creating a hazard for other boats in the area. 2 dozen or so boats soon gathered around the whale, with some trying to cut away the net while others attempted to keep other vessels away from the struggling animal.

"It was amazing to see how everyone came together to help this whale," Anderson said. "There were people of all ages out there helping and everyone just seemed to have one goal – to save this whale."

After more than two hours of effort, the whale was finally free from the net and swam away without further incident.

Anderson credited the success of the operation to the cooperation of everyone involved.

"It just goes to show you that when we all work together, we can make a difference," he said.

California Gray Whale Calf Born This Week

A California gray whale calf was born this week near Santa Barbara, according to researchers from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. This is the first gray whale calf sighting of the season.

The calf and its mother were spotted by a research team on a boat trip on Monday. "We were thrilled to spot a new calf with its mother," said Dr. James McKenna, Co-Director of the museum's Marine Mammal Research Program.

The museum team has been studying the migration of gray whales along the California coast since 1991. Each year, they conduct boat trips in January and February to look for newborn calves.

Gray whales are migratory animals that travel 12,000 miles each year between their feeding and breeding grounds. The California coast is one of their wintering grounds, where they come to feed on barnacles and other crustaceans.

The calf is estimated to be about six meters long and weighs around 1,500 kg. It is difficult to tell the sex of young whales, but it is possible that this calf is a male.

The birth of this gray whale calf is good news for the population, which has been recovering from years of hunting and environmental degradation. There are now an estimated 22,000 gray whales in the world's oceans.

Rescued North Atlantic Right Whale Enters Rehabilitation

The right whale population has dwindled in numbers in recent years, leading to the establishment of the North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan. In March of 2019, a right whale was spotted entangled in fishing gear near Virginia Beach. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) responded to the scene and successfully freed the whale. However, after being freed, the whale showed signs of distress and was unable to swim normally.

In an effort to help the distressed whale, NOAA transported it to the Florida Keys for rehabilitation. After weeks of care, responders determined that the whale would not survive without human intervention and made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal. While this particular whale was not able to be saved, it is hoped that its story will raise awareness about the plight of right whales and help spur conservation efforts.

There are believed to be only about 460 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world, making them one of the most endangered marine mammal species. These whales are threatened by vessel collisions, fishing gear entanglements, and coastal development. Right whales tend to migrate close to shore during their feeding season, making them particularly vulnerable to these dangers.

Fortunately, there are a number of organizations working hard to protect these animals. NOAA leads many of these efforts and collaborates with other agencies such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). There are also several NGOs working on behalf of right whales including the Marine Mammal Conservancy and Save The Whales.

You can help protect right whales by learning more about them and their habitats, spreading awareness about their plight, and supporting organizations that work to conserve them.

NOAA Declares Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales Functionally Extinct

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared the North Atlantic right whale functionally extinct, meaning the species no longer plays a role in the ecosystem. There are only about 450 right whales remaining, and fewer than 100 are breeding females.

The right whale was once one of the most abundant large whales in the world, with a population estimated at 20,000-30,000. But by 1994, they were listed as endangered due to hunting, ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. The population has continued to decline in recent years.

"This is a devastating decision," said Eric Palgraves, senior vice president of WWF's marine programs. "The loss of the North Atlantic right whale would be an ecological tragedy and a major blow to conservation efforts."

There are many things we can do to help conserve this species including reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, staying informed about where it's safe to boat and swim near right whales habitat, and supporting stronger protections for these animals under the Endangered Species Act.