North Atlantic Right Whales and Ship Strikes off the U.S. East Coast

Problem: NOAA Fisheries has confirmed some 292 ship strikes on large whales (1975 to 2002), including 38 on North Atlantic right whales. These whales seem particularly susceptible, since they swim slowly, spend considerable time at the surface, and apparently take little or no evasive action when ships approach.

So far this year, one adult, one calf, and one fetal right whale have been confirmed dead off the eastern U.S. The adult, a female with an impressive calving history, was found dead off Virginia along with the fetus, expelled from the carcass after death. Preliminary necropsy results indicate a likely ship strike occurred, although it is not yet clear that this was the immediate cause of death.

What the Agency is Doing: To reduce threats posed by ship strikes and other encounters with marine traffic, NOAA Fisheries conducts aerial surveys and relays sighting information to mariners. Large ships transiting near critical habitat areas must report in and acknowledge receipt of sighting advisories for the areas. In addition, the Agency has devised a three-part strategy for reducing ship strikes: learn more about why and when right whales are like to be struck by ships, educate mariners about the problem, and change marine vessel operations to reduce the likelihood of striking a whale. The first two parts involve research and outreach campaigns. The third involves interagency, interjurisdictional, and international policy decisions and solutions.

Research: In 2003, the Agency awarded nearly $2 million to researchers to better understand and raise the profile of the ship strike problem. The agency also continues to support core programs for improving knowledge about the natural history and factors influencing reproduction in these whales, responding to stranded and injured whales, sighting and documenting their seasonal occurrence, and supporting U.S. international positions on the protection of these and other large whales wherever they occur.

Policy: In 2004, based on several years of investigation and evaluation of some 100 possible actions, the agency intends to start the public process for making new rules governing marine operations intended to reduce the threats to right whales posed by ship strikes. The draft strategy comprises the entire known range of right whales along the U.S. East Coast and includes recommendations for routing changes and speed limits for some vessels when right whales are likely present. The action will include a full environmental impact statement analyzing elements of the strategy as well as other alternatives and will include opportunities for public comment. The Agency also continues to work with other federal authorities and other nations on a comprehensive strategy for protecting these whales throughout the western Atlantic.

North Atlantic Right Whales and Ship Strikes off the U.S. East Coast

Problem: NOAA Fisheries has confirmed some 292 ship strikes on large whales (1975 to 2002), including 38 on North Atlantic right whales. These whales seem particularly susceptible, since they swim slowly, spend considerable time at the surface, and apparently take little or no evasive action when ships approach.

So far this year, one adult, one calf, and one fetal right whale have been confirmed dead off the eastern U.S. The adult, a female with an impressive calving history, was found dead off Virginia along with the fetus, expelled from the carcass after death. Preliminary necropsy results indicate a likely ship strike occurred, although it is not yet clear that this was the immediate cause of death.

What the Agency is Doing: To reduce threats posed by ship strikes and other encounters with marine traffic, NOAA Fisheries conducts aerial surveys and relays sighting information to mariners. Large ships transiting near critical habitat areas must report in and acknowledge receipt of sighting advisories for the areas. In addition, the Agency has devised a three-part strategy for reducing ship strikes: learn more about why and when right whales are like to be struck by ships, educate mariners about the problem, and change marine vessel operations to reduce the likelihood of striking a whale. The first two parts involve research and outreach campaigns. The third involves interagency, interjurisdictional, and international policy decisions and solutions.

Research: In 2003, the Agency awarded nearly $2 million to researchers to better understand and raise the profile of the ship strike problem. The agency also continues to support core programs for improving knowledge about the natural history and factors influencing reproduction in these whales, responding to stranded and injured whales, sighting and documenting their seasonal occurrence, and supporting U.S. international positions on the protection of these and other large whales wherever they occur.

Policy: In 2004, based on several years of investigation and evaluation of some 100 possible actions, the agency intends to start the public process for making new rules governing marine operations intended to reduce the threats to right whales posed by ship strikes. The draft strategy comprises the entire known range of right whales along the U.S. East Coast and includes recommendations for routing changes and speed limits for some vessels when right whales are likely present. The action will include a full environmental impact statement analyzing elements of the strategy as well as other alternatives and will include opportunities for public comment. The Agency also continues to work with other federal authorities and other nations on a comprehensive strategy for protecting these whales throughout the western Atlantic.