A new analysis by the North Atlantic right whale protectionists actually shows the species thriving, not declining.
But as predictable as the tides, a leading environmental lobby says that’s now a good reason to increase – not relax – the government regulations that have been tying Maine fishermen up in knots.
Seriously.
The 2024 population estimate for the North Atlantic right whale, allegedly “critically endangered,” reached 384, a 2.1% increase from the previous year, according to the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium.
In fact, the consortium has reported “slow growth” of the whale population over the past four years.
The primary causes of death and injury for these whales have traditionally been blamed on entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
But again, the consortium is now not only seeing a population increase but reporting no whale deaths – and fewer injuries – so far this year.
The positive trend leaves experts “cautiously optimistic” about the future of the species, said consortium chair Heather Pettis, who heads the right whale research program at the New England Aquarium.
“It’s always a great feeling when we can share positive news about this critically endangered species,” she told CBS Boston.
But of course all the good news about a whale resurgence is just too much for the Karens who need to blame Maine’s fishermen for something to make their day complete.
Activists are actually now calling for increased government intervention to protect the upward population growth trend.
“Another year of modest population growth is certainly better than a year of sharp decline, and we should celebrate that while also keeping our eyes on the work ahead,” Jane Davenport, senior attorney for Defenders of Wildlife, said in a statement to People magazine.
“Every year, North Atlantic right whales fall victim to vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements, with results that range from instant death to chronic suffering and reduced calving rates,” Davenport claimed.
“We need new initiatives to reduce vessel strike and entanglement, and the current legislative attacks on the Marine Mammal Protection Act must end, or this iconic species’ extinction is all but guaranteed,” she added.
Maine’s lobster industry in August called for a 10-year delay on more federal fishing regulations designed to protect the whales.
The lobstermen argue that current regulations, including seasonal closures, weaker ropes, and fewer lines in the water, are adequate.
“We’ve removed well over 30,000 miles of rope from the water,” Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, told NewsCenterMaine in August.
McCarron said then that more time is needed to gather better data on which regulations are appropriate for Maine to avoid unnecessary harm to the iconic Maine fishery.
