Ship Strikes

Whales share their habitat with many human uses, but perhaps none are so dangerous as the large commercial ship which traverse their habitats. As time has passed and ships have become more numerous, and become notably larger and faster, collisions between whales and ships appear to have increased. In the case of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale, ship collisions appear to be the single most important human cause of mortality; at least 20 animals are known to have been killed. In 2004 alone at least two pregnant females were killed by ship strikes off the mid-Atlantic coast. Other species are vulnerable as well. In 2001, an otherwise healthy three year old humpback named "Pitfall" was found beached south of Boston; a necropsy the next day showed its skull and jaw had been shattered by a ship collision. In a recent review of ship strike cases worldwide, it was shown that approximately 10% of the almost 300 known cases likely took place in the southern New England area.

In order to help solve this problem, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has tasked its Large Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team to come up with potential solutions. Whale Center Chief Scientist Mason Weinrich is an elected technical advisor to the team, and has been involved in discussions about the issue for years. In 2001, he was an invited participant in a coast-wide workshop to develop solutions. The recommendations from this workshop have now led to the introduction of a comprehensive ship strike strategy from NMFS, which has gone through one round of public comment. The Whale Center submitted both oral and written testimony on the proposal in the summer of 2004. We now await the next step as NMFS reviews their public input, and will hopefully soon advance their actions closer to reality.

Related Links

Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction

National Geographic Right Whale Article

Woods Hole Right Whale Info

State of Massachusetts Right Whale Article

Entanglements

While ships are a huge problem for whales, so too is accidental entanglement in fixed fishing gear. Because whales need so much prey, they are often found feeding in the most productive areas in the ocean. Of course, these are also areas where fishermen have made a living for decades. Usually they are not catching fish that whales might feed on; rather, both whales and commercially important fish are there to feed on the same prey item, usually small schooling fish or plankton. While mobile fishing gear certainly has important ecological impacts, it makes enough noise to that whales can hear the gear and generally avoid it. However, the fixed fishing gear (usually pot or trap gear, like lobster or crab traps, or gill net gear) fishes silently, often in very murky waters. It is in this gar that whales can become entangled. Our observations of whales indicate that once they become entangled in the gear they immediately thrash, only getting themselves more deeply entangled in the gear. While whales are often strong enough to tow this gear with them for a period of time, it can wear the animal out, cause it to starve, or injure it badly. Recent studies have shown that over 60% of North Atlantic right whales and 70% of New England humpback whales have become entangled at some point, and up to 20% of humpbacks may become entangled each year!

While whales can sometimes free themselves, sometimes they need help. The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown runs a coast-wide network to disentangle whales, and has cut free many animals. The Whale Center is proud to be a member of their network, and has worked to support them in freeing numerous whales over the years. Often our role is in support of their efforts, when we find, stand by, or assess the severity of entanglements in our region.

More important, though, are long term solutions to prevent whales from becoming entangled or to easily free themselves from entanglement. In order to do this, we are appointed members of a federal "take reduction team." This body is made up of fishermen, scientists, conservationists, and government officials, who are working together to try to find solutions to the problem of whale entanglement in fixed fishing gear. This team has been meeting at least annually since the mid-1990's. While a number of rules have been put into effect since then, these have not yet significantly reduced entanglements. In the near future, the NMFS is poised to release a more comprehensive plan towards this elusive goal. We stand poised to review the plan upon its release and, depending on the likely effectiveness of the proposed measures, either strongly advocate for it or vigorously work towards its modification. We will do this both as team members and through notices to our membership.

Related Links

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

Scar-Based Study of Entanglement Rates

Whale Rescue

Nor'Easter Year of the Ocean 1998

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management

One of the most important marine habitats for whales in southern New England is Stellwagen Bank, off the Massachusetts' coast. Not only is it an important feeding ground for humpback, fin, and minkes whales, it is also a site visited annually by thousands of whale watchers, fishermen, and recreational boaters. This high use, combined with the vulnerability of the habitat because of its proximity to the coast, leaves it vulnerable to damage. In the late 1980's, several groups in New England, including The Whale Center, formed a coalition to advocate for designation of Stellwagen Bank as a National Marine Sanctuary. In 1992, the site was officially designated as such by Congress.

Shortly afterwards, the Sanctuary formed an official Advisory Council (the SAC) to make recommendations about management of the Sanctuary. Since its inception, Whale Center staff has maintained a seat on the Council as a representative of the research community.

Perhaps the SAC's most important task is to oversee the management plan review for the Sanctuary. While this is supposed to take place every five years, the current review is the first in the site's history. Since the original management plan was mandated by Congress, this is the first time the staff and the public are able to consider a wide variety of issues. Among those being discussed for management include harassment, entanglement, and ship collisions with marine mammals in the Sanctuary, managing the ecosystem as a whole, effects of fishery removal, ocean dumping, water quality, and Sanctuary staffing levels. We at the Whale Center are especially advocating for:

• Clear and Consistent Vision, Mission and Management Strategies;
• Clear priorities, which favor protecting living marine resources over cultural resources, in future work;
• Expansion of the sanctuary boundary to include all of Jeffreys Ledge;
• Certification of vessels engaged in whale watching in the sanctuary for protection of marine mammals from harassment;
• Measures to protect aggregations of endangered humpback and fin whales;
• Effective Enforcement Strategies;
• Increased Sanctuary Visibility

Related Links

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS)

SBNMS Management Plan Review

Stellwagen Bank Information

Conservation Law Foundation

Conservation of Jeffreys Ledge

While Stellwagen Bank is now protected as a Stellwagen Bank, similar protection is lacking for nearby Jeffreys Ledge, although the southeastern third of the Ledge is included in the Sanctuary Boundary. We believe, and are advocating for, inclusion of the entire Ledge in the Sanctuary through a boundary expansion.

Our reasons for including the area are several. Jeffreys is one of the most important spawning habitats for Gulf of Maine herring, an important prey source for the same whales that use Stellwagen Bank. Our research has shown that in years when prey is scarce on Stellwagen, many marine predators (including whales, sharks, tuna, and groundfish) move to the Ledge. Its location off the New Hampshire and southern Maine coast make it vulnerable in similar ways to Stellwagen. However, our recent surveys have also shown it to be an important fall feeding habitat for North Atlantic right whales. We feel these are compelling reasons for protection of this sensitive area.

Related Links

Jeffreys Ledge Information Page

Atlantic Herring Page