Mitigating collisions between vessels and North Atlantic right whales in US waters

Le résumé fourni par la source

North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis are one of the most endangered species of large whales, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining. Anthropogenic factors driving their decline are morbidity and mortality from entanglement in fishing gear and collisions between whales and vessels. Two recent events spurred this paper’s reconsideration of possible options for improved mitigation of vessel strikes impacting North Atlantic right whales. These include a new analysis of the relationship between vessel size and speed and the likelihood of fatal injuries resulting from vessel collisions with whales, and the US government's decision in January 2025 not to extend regulations aimed at minimising the risk of vessel strikes along the US east coast. Here, a reanalysis of the vessel strike data on large whales, excluding humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae , confirms its main findings. Whale mortalities can occur at speeds of less than 10 knots (18.5 km h -1 ), particularly when struck by very large (length >108 m) vessels. However, the model incorrectly assigned vessels from 2 categories as likely causing mortalities when they did not. This adds strength to the argument that the risk of mortalities of North Atlantic right whales posed by very large vessels is particularly concerning. However, results of management actions taken recently by the Canadian government in the Gulf of St Lawrence offer cause for some optimism. Direct approaches to shipping companies to mitigate their impacts on North Atlantic right whales are likely to be more effective at present than attempting to change US regulations.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.