Scientists have yet to determine the cause of death as of Monday afternoon, but the dead calf represents another blow to the critically endangered whale species, which has dwindled to fewer than 360 individuals in recent years.
A dead female North Atlantic right whale calf was found washed up on the beach at Cow Bay in Edgartown Sunday night.
The young right whale was found by a walker Sunday.
The young right whale was found by a walker Sunday.
Scientists have yet to determine the cause of death as of Monday afternoon, but the dead calf represents another blow to the critically endangered whale species, which has dwindled to fewer than 360 individuals in recent years.
According to a statement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “preliminary observations indicate the presence of rope entangled near the whale’s tail.”
Since 2017, NOAA has recorded 37 right whale deaths, most of which have fishing gear entanglement or boat collisions as a contributing cause. Only about a third of right whale deaths are documented, according to the agency.
The recent whale carcass was found by a person walking on the beach Sunday. They called the International Fund for Animal Welfare and NOAA. Both organizations had officials at the beach Monday, and IFAW scientists continued work on Tuesday.
Officials with the International Fund for Animal Welfare were looking into the whale's death.
Officials with the International Fund for Animal Welfare were looking into the whale's death.
“We had better access to [the whale] today, so we were able to do more,” said Sarah Sharp, a IFAW veterinarian on the beach Tuesday.
Waves rolled over the carcass on the narrow beach that morning, its tail buried in the sand as scientists in bright red and orange hurried about to prepare it for towing out to sea.
“It does have an entangling line around the tail,” Ms. Sharp said, “but in terms of cause of death, we really need the full necropsy to determine that.”
Adverse weather conditions and the positioning of the whale carcass have prevented officials from relocating it for a full investigation. Ms. Sharp said the group is now planning to relocate the whale to tribal land on-Island Wednesday, to prepare for a full necropsy Thursday.
The New England Aquarium keeps a catalog of living right whale individuals, but the one washed ashore on the Vineyard has yet to be identified, Ms. Sharp said.
NOAA said a rope appeared to be entangled near the whale's tail.
NOAA said a rope appeared to be entangled near the whale's tail.
While other dead right whales have washed up on Island in the past, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution senior scientist Michael Moore said the location of this carcass is atypical.
“We’ve had a bunch on the south side, it’s unusual on the north side,” he said.
Conservationists lamented the whale’s death this week and hoped it would spur action to help save the species.
“This has been a tragic month for North Atlantic right whales, beginning with news of a calf seriously injured by a boat propeller and now the death of a juvenile female,” said aquarium scientist Philip Hamilton in a statement to the Gazette, referring to a recently injured whale off the coast of South Carolina.
“The time to implement bold protections to protect this critically endangered species from human-caused impacts is now if we are to avoid extinction,” he said.
The whale carcass weighed more than 20,000 pounds.
The whale carcass weighed more than 20,000 pounds.
A team with the New England Aquarium saw right whales south of Nantucket earlier this month and NOAA implemented slow zones for boaters. Right whales are often found in Cape Cod Bay this time of year and an acoustic monitor detected a whale more than 10 miles south of the Vineyard on Sunday.
Gib Brogan, the campaign director at the ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana, said it was devastating to hear about another dead right whale.
“This death is even more troubling when it is a female calf that could have gone on to have many calves of her own for decades to come,” he said. “The recovery of North Atlantic right whales cannot take any more setbacks.”
A necrospy is planned for later this week.
Comments
This is a tragedy. We are
GinnyJones WTThis is a tragedy. We are watching the decline in numbers and rapidly approaching extinction of several iconic species -- right here in front of our eyes, ears and despite all best efforts to reverse the trends. I refer to the North Atlantic Right Whale,and also Monarch Butterflies. I've been hand wringing and writing about both of these losses for years. The statistics are inescapable, they are depressing, they are deplorable, and they are heart rending. Many are also unnecessary (toxic chemicals and sprays, more and more trash and pollutants in the waters of the world and the lack of means and/or will to set aside large areas for sanctuaries and for habitat jeopardize the chances of any meaningful survival in a world increasingly threatened by mass intolerance and greed, war and climate change. I could add "and governed by idiots" but that is a bit strong. We know that there are good people out there but they need to be empowered, respected, supported and vigilant. the loss of one right whale is so sad but as well I never saw a single Monarch all summer.. This was the first time ever. I mourn for our natural world and the imperfect guardians.
Do not despair. We had lots
Bonnie Akins Oak BluffsDo not despair. We had lots of monarchs this summer and saw two hatch--one attached to a gutter fascia of the garage facing east and the other to a branch on the ground which I picked up and stuck behind the downspout facing west.. The first was in August and the second in mid-September. Once the process started it took about two hours, the butterfly emerged, hung there and dried its wings for about 30 minutes, and then flew to a nearby tree. This was true for both hatchings--the first of which was observed by all of us including a 2 and a 5-year-old. Absolutely magical.
This is so very sad.
Carol formerly ChilmarkThis is so very sad. Especially since we know that the direct, evidence-based causes of most right whale deaths are: (1) ship strikes (which could be almost eliminated by slower ship speeds, which NOAA can and should require), and (2) entanglement with fishing gear, especially ropes from lobster pots.
Call NOAA, call our Senators and demand slow ship speeds and ropeless lobster gear!
Unfortunately with the
Robbie OBUnfortunately with the addition of these windmills we will have many more whale deaths. Not enough studies but it’s full force ahead to “save the environment “. You won’t see any public cry when more of these whales wash ashore due to the windmills. Windmills supersede everything else. Just look at how other states are pausing their builds until more studies are completed.
.....and out dated technology
Bob Oak Bluffs.....and out dated technology such as wind turbines thrust into THEIR domain.
To both Bob and Robbie, A
robert skydell Antigua, GuatemalaTo both Bob and Robbie, A plethora of evidence exists that supports the fact that marine mammals are being killed and/or maimed by both fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes while there is little evidence that supports the claim that wind turbines are causing whale mortality.
As far as "outdated" technology is concerned let's point the finger squarely at the real culprits, namely coal burning powerplants and fossil fuels in general.
Well, Robbie and Bob, at
John VHWell, Robbie and Bob, at least we now know what your position on renewal wind technology is…
We, as humans, need to do a
Lorraine EdgartownWe, as humans, need to do a better job at cleansing our earth of noxious chemicals that are used daily, weekly, monthly, with no thought for our earth and water. Whether on gardens, lawns, cleaning houses, machines, etc., we pay no heed, in many cases, to the harm we are doing. If we but do a bit of research, we will realize that there are natural products that can be used to achieve the same results that the harmful products achieve, with diminished or no harm to our surroundings, earth, water, air, etc. There may be a learning curve, but let us all try to do it, shall we?
Beautifully said, Ginny. I
Martha Moore WTBeautifully said, Ginny. I feel as if I die a little every time these losses occur - whales, monarchs, fewer birds (buffleheads, mergansers, scaup), & so many other creatures.
It was just a matter of time
Ken Rusczyk OBIt was just a matter of time before someone blamed it on the windmills! And of course it happened. Forget fishing lines, tear down the windmills!
As a sailor, I am saddened by
Mark Wing Farms, MIAs a sailor, I am saddened by the death of any whale.
I understand that a full necropsy will be made to determine the cause of death. Rather than creating battle lines about shipping speeds, wind turbines or monarch butterflies; I wish that this magnificent (some would say Biblical) beast could be used, perhaps the wrong word, to help raise awareness about whale losses.
To just determine the cause of death and then either tow out to sea or bury on tribal land seems such a lost opportunity. Is there any way to use the skeletal remains, stabilize and preserve them and feature this "wonder of the seas" in a landscape feature in a children's park on island? Out here in the flatlands, the children have to make do with silly HDPE climb aboard sailing ships.
Afterall, I understand the heritage of Martha's Vineyard is whaling. I learned this on my first ocean delivery from Fort de France to Malaga, while calling on the Azores at Faial.
And as the story goes Jonah was brought to land by the whale.
In this case, Jonah should not be putting the whale out to sea.
Please be open to the thought
Michele Dunn EdgartownPlease be open to the thought that the wind turbine work COULD be directly connected to these deaths. Yes, new jersey has halted their wind turbine plans because the sonar used in these projects disrupts the whales navigation and communication. Without that, they are doomed beyond just fishing lines. There is enough evidence of additional risk to these animals that a more thorough examination be conducted to pause the wind turbines rather than go full steam ahead with the blinders of energy environmentism
Well, you say there's enough
Kelly OBWell, you say there's enough evidence. Where is it? I'm tired of speculation hiding behind anger at wind farms.
Yes, there is evidence that
Sara House EdgartownYes, there is evidence that the underwater sounds emanating from sonar mapping that goes along with the planning for and construction of the wind turbines is extremely loud and disorienting to the whales. Not even counting the pile driving that comes later. You're not going to find this information easily because it does not fit the accepted narrative, but it's out there.
Who could not be saddened by
Chappy Guy ChappyWho could not be saddened by such a death? That said, I always find unidimensional assessments (e.g., of wind turbines) disappointing. Let’s say they do contribute to whale deaths - an assumption that is hotly debated - what of the overall impact on climate and environment? Few things in life provide only good without any mitigating bad. Absent such thoughtfulness, complaints are just uninformed whines. Where is the thoughtful, informed debate?
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