It’s an unfortunate mismatch of risk. The chance of one trap out of a million entangling a whale is small, but the likelihood of a whale becoming entangled while swimming through a million lines is very substantial. Likewise, the risk of any one whale being struck by a vessel is vanishingly small, yet vessel strikes are the second most common cause of injury and death to right whales.
of these whales have been entangled in fishing gear. Many have been entangled multiple times. Of whales that die from entanglement only a minority are documented, as they often sink to the bottom of the ocean undetected. The average duration of a lethal right whale entanglement is aboutIf a mammal the size of a whale were entangled and slowly dying in the streets of Boston for six months, it would be utterly unacceptable to society. This is exactly what’s happening at sea.
MklJMoore Soo these are the Republican Whales then
MklJMoore Okay so I will admit I am not a 'save the whales kind of person but after reading this article I might pay more attention. I didn't know they could be caught in a net which is a death trap and suffer such a long death. 6 months of suffering just isn't right.
MklJMoore Have a couple of Maine Lobsters. Maine Lobstermen livelihoods have taken a toll because of lies about Right Whales getting entangled in lobster gear and dying (total lies). Not one whale, no proof of any being harmed. Politicians and Animal rights groups shouldn’t spread lies.
MklJMoore This is wrong. Fear mongering anti fishery nonsense. Please research this more and don’t just pander to the eco warrior subset.
MklJMoore be ok. Downtown Portland is scary and not worth the rent.