Volume 4, Number 3 August, 1997
MORE RIGHT WHALES ENTANGLED IN FISHING GEAR
A 12 year old male right whale (catalog number 1505) was observed and
photographed by a Center for Coastal Studies shipboard crew in Cape
Cod Bay on February 24, 1997, without any line on him. On April 22,
the New England Aquarium aerial survey team sighted him east of
Stellwagen Bank. However, it was not until the photographs were
examined that it was realized that the whale was entangled with a
line through his mouth and trailing almost the entire length of his
body. While the entangled whale was apparently swimming freely, this
kind of entanglement may cause problems later on by impairing feeding
or causing infections. Because actual entanglement events are rarely
witnessed, it is rare that we are able to narrow the timing of when
an entanglement occurred to such a short time. To date, the whale has
not been seen again; in the event he is sighted again still carrying
gear, a disentanglement effort may be attempted.
A second entangled right whale, a seven year old male (# 1971), was
observed on July 1 off Chatham, Massachusetts. The Center for Coastal
Studies led the disentanglement effort, which resulted in most of the
gear being removed. The whale was seen again on July 16 in the Bay of
Fundy, still with the remaining line.
A third right whale was observed also on July 1 swimming 30 miles off
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, entangled in what was believed to be crab pot
gear. Reportedly, a fisherman removed the trailing line.
Information supplied by Philip Hamilton and Cathy Quinn of the New
England Aquarium and others
FEDERAL COURT APPROVES NMFS AND COAST GUARD
RIGHT WHALE PROTECTION EFFORTS
In late May, U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Woodlock ruled in
favor of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S.
Coast Guard, saying that the two agencies had improved efforts to
protect the northern right whale. Among the efforts was the adoption
of the 500 yard minimum approach rule for right whales (see Federal
Register, Feb. 13, 1997, pp. 6729 - 6738 and Right Whale News 4(2): 1
- 2). While ruling against GreenWorld s Max Strahan, Judge Woodlock
none-the-less faulted the agencies for taking action only after they
had been sued in 1994 for violating endangered species laws.
Judge Woodlock s ruling freed up the NMFS to respond to intense
political pressure and issue its Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and
implementing rules in a significantly scaled-back version from what
was originally proposed (see next article).
NMFS ISSUES LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN
AND IMPLEMENTING RULES
On July 22, 1997, the NMFS issued its interim final rule to implement
the Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (see Federal Register July 22,
1997, pp. 39157 - 39188). The purpose of the plan is to reduce
serious injury and mortality to four large whale stocks including the
western North Atlantic stock of the northern right whale. The plan
covers the following fisheries: (1) multiple groundfish species,
including monkfish and dogfish, in the New England multi-species sink
gillnet fishery; (2) multiple species in the U.S. mid-Atlantic
coastal gillnet fisheries; and (3) the lobster fishery. The interim
final rule includes (1) time and area closures for the lobster
fishery, the anchored gillnet fishery and shark drift gillnet
fishery; (2) gear requirements including a general prohibition on
having line floating at the surface in these fisheries, (3) a
prohibition on storing inactive gear at sea, (4) restrictions on
setting shark drift gillnets and (5) restrictions on drift gillnets
in the mid-Atlantic. The plan also contains recommendations on gear
research, public outreach and increasing efforts to disentangle
whales caught in fishing gear.
Most of the measures in the plan focus on ways to reduce the risk of
serious injury and mortality to right whales both because the right
whale s population status is more critical than that of any other
large whale and because right whales are the only endangered large
whale in U.S. Atlantic waters for which the Potential Biological
Removal (PBR) level of 0.4 animals per year is known to be exceeded.
The 1996 right whale stock assessment estimates that a minimum of 1.1
right whales from the western North Atlantic stock are seriously
injured or killed annually by entanglement in U.S. fishing gear from
1991 through 1996.
In the face of intense political pressure over the high costs and low
benefits of the original proposed Take Reduction Plan on lobster
fishermen and others, the NMFS made significant modifications. The
interim final rule seeks to minimize the significant economic impact
on small entities. For instance, the rule has exempted waters where
the risk of entangling whales is low, it will not require the use of
untested gear and gear can be marked by painting. Perhaps most
significant is the statement: the rule will not require any gear
modifications at this time. NMFS will allow fishermen to choose from
a menu of gear characteristics that have been tested in the field and
which are thought to be helpful in reducing entanglements. Most of
the items currently on the menus represent current best fishing
practices, which many fishermen already use (Federal Register, July
22, p. 39183).
The NMFS has also published an Environmental Assessment and
Regulatory Impact Review of the plan and the implementing
regulations.
For further information, contact Ms. Kim Thounhurst, NMFS Northeast
Region, at 508-281-9138.
NMFS: NO CHANGES IN FISHERIES LIST FOR 1998
In a Federal Register notice (May 27, 1997; pp. 28657 - 28668) the
National Marine Fisheries Service has recommended that there be no
changes in the List of Fisheries for 1998. The preparation of the
List is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. A commercial
fishery is placed on the List in one of three categories based on the
level of serious injury and mortalities that occur to marine mammals
as a result of that fishery. Category I fisheries are those where the
annual mortality and serious injury of a marine mammal stock is
greater than or equal to 50 percent of the Potential Biological
Removal (PBR) level. Category II is for fisheries where the annual
mortality and serious injury is greater than 1 percent and less than
50 percent of the PBR level. Category III fisheries are those where
mortality and injury are 1 % or lower.
Three fisheries are listed as Category I due to their interaction
with northern right whales and other species of marine mammals: (1)
gillnet fisheries using large pelagic drift gillnets in the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean; (2) the Northeast multispecies
sink gillnet fishery; and (3) lobster trap/pot fisheries in the Gulf
of Maine and the U.S. mid-Atlantic. There are no Category II listings
due to right whale interactions. Two fisheries are listed as Category
III fisheries due to right whale injuries and/or mortalities: (1) the
lobster and crab mixed species trap/ pot fishery in the Gulf of Maine
and U.S. mid-Atlantic and (2) the herring and Atlantic mackerel stop
seine and weir fishery in the Gulf of Maine.
Comments on the NMFS proposal are due by August 25, 1997. For further
information, contact Robyn Angliss, Office of Protected Species,
NMFS, at 301-713-2322.
NMFS ISSUES BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON ATLANTIC PELAGIC FISHERY, EXTENDS
EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF SWORDFISH
DRIFT GILLNET FISHERY TO PROTECT RIGHT WHALES
The NMFS has extended the Emergency Closure of the drift gillnet
fishery for Atlantic swordfish until November 26, 1997 (see Federal
Register June 5, 1997; pp. 30775 - 30776). The closure is based on
NMFS biological opinion on the Atlantic Pelagic Fishery (issued May
29, 1997) which concluded, among other things, that continued
operation of the driftnet component for swordfish, tuna and shark is
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the northern right
whale.
For further information, contact Vicky Cornish at NMFS s Office of
Protected Resources, tel. 301-713-2322.
LARGE WHALE GEAR ADVISORY GROUP MEETS
The NMFS Northeast Reginal Office has created a Large Whale Gear
Advisory Group to help the agency find gear that might reduce the
risk of entanglements to right whales and other large whales. The
group met on June 4 and 5 to start work. The meeting was attended by
twenty members of the fishing industry plus representatives of state
agencies, the research community and NMFS. The participants were
given a charge by NMFS Regional Administrator Andy Rosenberg, a
statement of work and updates on various gear studies. Scott Kraus of
the New England Aquarium gave a presentation on entanglements of
right whales, explaining that two whales were known to have died as a
result of entanglements and approximately 60% of cataloged right
whales have scars which may have been caused by entanglements. The
group then divided into three teams to brainstorm ways to reduce the
possibility of entanglement. Options for immediate implementation
were developed for the inshore lobster fishery, the offshore lobster
fishery and the gillnet fishery. Suggested research and development
items were also identified for each fishery. For more information on
the Advisory Group, contact Chris Mentzaris at the NMFS Northest
Regional Office, tel. 508-281-9346.
NEW ENGLAND TEAM CHANGES NAME, ADDS MEMBER
The New England Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team has changed
its name to the Northeast Whale Implementation Team. Maine s Governor
King has named Terry Stockwell as Maine s official member of the
Team. Terry is
INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE COALITION WORKS WITH FISHERMEN
TO REDUCE TRAP AND GILLNET RISKS TO RIGHT WHALES
Under the direction of David Wiley, Senior Scientist, the
International Wildlife Coalition (IWC) has been working with
representatives of the lobster and gillnet fishery industries to
develop and test gear that would reduce the risk of entanglement with
right whales and other species of marine mammals. Using space and
equipment provided by the strength and materials laboratories at both
the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Massachusetts Maritime
Academy, IWC has tested breakaway buoys and concepts. They are also
developing a prototype device that might be suitable as a bottom
breakaway link. Tests are also being run on gear modifications for
gillnets and how whales might encounter them. Fishermen are
investigating a weaker line between the leadline and floatline that
would break if the weak link between the bridles broke. A concern is
that the gillnets stretch considerably before even moderate loads are
applied to them, raising the concern that whales could be entangled
before they can apply breaking loads to the nets.
The IWC s research is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts
Environmental Trust s FY 97 Endangered Species Fund.
Information provided by David Wiley, International Wildlife
Coalition
EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS FOLLOW SHIPPING/RIGHT WHALE WORKSHOP
One of the results of the New England Aquarium s Shipping/Right Whale
Workshop (April 17 - 18; see Right Whale News 4 (2): 4 - 5) was the
recognition that the shipping industry is poorly informed about the
right whale/ship collision issue and that education is an integral
part of further protecting right whales. Utilizing funds provided by
the Massachusetts Environmental Trust s FY 97 Endangered Species
Fund, Amy Knowlton of the New England Aquarium has been working on a
number of fronts to begin this educational process. She is helping
the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) develop a brochure
to alert mariners to the presence of right whales in the different
habitats of the Gulf of Maine. They will use brochures and placards
developed in the southeast as guides. Also with the IFAW, she
coordinated a recent meeting with representatives of MASSPORT and
several Boston-based shipping companies to develop informational
notes and documents in support of the critical habitat designations
on nautical charts and the Coastal Pilot. The latter highlights
navigational hazards and is found on the bridge of every vessel.
The Marine Mammal Commission has also developed a right whale
information document for submittal to the International Maritime
Organization (IMO). Among actions that the IMO may take as a result
is to elevate international awareness of the right whale/ship
collision problem.
Information provided by Amy Knowlton, New England Aquarium
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM PUBLISHES RIGHT WHALE RESEARCH NEWS
Right Whale Research News is a publication of the New England
Aquarium s North Atlantic Right Whale Research Project. It provides
readers with updates on the Aquarium s research projects and other
activities. For example, the Spring, 1997, issue contains articles on
Aerial Surveys in the Calving Grounds, Winter, 1997, by Lisa Conger,
What we can learn from our cousins: tales from the Southern Ocean by
Philip Hamilton, Shipping/Right Whale Workshop by Amy Knowlton, Cape
Cod Bay - an overview by Philip Hamilton, Cape Cod Bay - a birds eye
view by Cathy Quinn, CCS Reports from Cape Cod Bay - a water view by
Marilyn Marx, National Marine Fisheries Service Proposed Regulations
by Philip Hamilton and Sponsored whales updates by Philip
Hamilton.
The primary audience for Right Whale Research News are people who
have paid $35 to sponsor
one of six right whales (Dash and Anchor, both calving females,
Lucky, a young female, and Starry Night, King Richard and Necklace,
three adult males). If you don t want to sponsor a whale but do want
to be kept informed about the North Atlantic Right Whale Research
Project, you can receive just the newsletter for $15 per year. To
sponsor a whale or subscribe, contact the Project at the New England
Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3399; telephone
617-973-6582.
PROGRESS REPORT: BIRTHING INTERVALS FOR RIGHT WHALES
Dr. Solange Brault and Paul McGuinness of the University of
Massachusetts, Boston, have initiated research to analyze birthing
intervals for the northern right whale. The fist step in their
analysis is to review the database for possible quantitative
inaccuracies. All individual sightings of female whales without a
calf have been re-examined according to the criterion: if a mature
female was sighted without a calf for more than three years after a
confirmed calf sighting, the survey records would be inspected to
count the number of times the female was sighted. Rare sightings
raise the possibility that she may have been with an unseen calf.
Multiple sightings in the same year would reduce that possibility.
Given this criterion, all reproductive females on record had to be
re-checked. This analysis will ensure a higher level of certainty in
reproductive parameters, that will allow for a more complete analysis
of the population as a whole. The birthing intervals research is
supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust s FY
97 Endangered Species Fund.
Information provided by Dr. Solange Brault, UMass Boston
MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
WILL OFFER RIGHT WHALE GRANTS FOR 1998
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) will make $150,000
available for right whale initiatives in FY 1998. The money will come
from the MET s Endangered Species Fund. Awards will be made to build
on the past season s findings and to support other clearly identified
needs.
Grant application guidelines are being prepared now and will be
available from MET on October 17. Applications for grants will be due
by November 14. Awards will be made by the end of December, 1997. To
request a copy of the guidelines, contact MET at 33 Union Street, 4th
floor, Boston, MA 02108; telephone 617-727-0249; fax
617-367-1616.
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE AND REPORTS
Burnell, S. R. and M. M. Bryden. 1997. Coastal residence periods and
reproductive timing in southern right whales, Eubalaena australis.
Journal of Zoology (London) 241 (4): 613 - 621.
Clapham, P. J., S. Leatherwood, I. Szczepaniak and R. L. Brownell,
Jr. 1997. Catches of humpback and other whales from shore stations at
Moss Landing and Trinidad, California, 1919 - 1926. Marine Mammal
Science 13 (3): 368 - 394. Only one northern right whale was taken, a
40 foot female in the vicinity of the Farallon Islands on April 9,
1924. Its stomach was empty.
Kompanje, E. J. O. 1996. Recent bones of right whales Eubalaena
glacialis from the southern North Sea. Lutra 39 (2): 66 - 75.
Laist, D. W. 1997. Impacts of Marine Debris: Entanglement of marine
life in marine debris including a comprehensive list of species with
entanglement and ingestion records. Proceedings of the 1994
International Workshop on Marine Debris.
National Marine Fisheries Service. 1997. Environmental assessment and
regulatory impact review of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction
Plan and implementing regulations. Available from the NMFS Northeast
Regional Office. 92 pp.
Waring, G., et al. 1997. United States Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Marine Mammal Stock Assessments. Hard copies of both the 1996 stock
assessment for the right whale and the entire document are available
from Gordon Waring at the National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast
Fisheries Science Center (tel. 508-495-2000).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 25, 1997: Comment deadline for the National Marine Fisheries
Service s proposed List of Fisheries for 1998 (see article, page
xxx).
September 3 - 5, 1997: Bycatch technical workshop sponsored by the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Location to be
determined. For information, contact Ms. Robin Peuser at
202-289-6400.
September 19, 1997: Next meeting of the Northeast Whale
Implementation Team. To be held at MASSPORT s Black Falcon Terminal
in Boston. For further information, contact Dr. Sal Testaverde at
508-281-9368.
October 15, 1997: Comments due on NMFS Interim Final Rule
implementing the Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (see article, page
xxx).
October 17, 1997: Grant application guidelines available from the
Massachusetts Environmental Trust (see article, page xxx).
October 23 - 24, 1997: Next meeting of the Southeast U.S.
Implementation Team for the Recovery of the Northern Right Whale.
Tentative location: the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Georgia.
For more information, contact Barb Zoodsma at 912-264-7218.
November 14, 1997: Grant applications due to Massachusetts
Environmental Trust (see article, page xxx).
January 20 - 24, 1998: World Marine Mammal Science Conference,
Monaco. For further information, contact Anne Collet, Conference
Chair, Centre de Recherche sur les Mammiferes Marins, Institute la
Mer et du Littoral, Port des Minimes, 17000 La Rochelle, France; tel
+33 (0) 546-44 99 10; e-mail: crmm@univ-lr.fr
RIGHT WHALE NEWS
Right Whale News is the newsletter of the Southeastern United States
Implementation Team for the Recovery of the Northern Right Whale. The
editor is Hans Neuhauser. The editorial board consists of Bill
Brooks, Moe Brown, Scott Kraus, Mike Payne and Jerry Wallmeyer. We
welcome Dr. Moira Brown to the editorial board of Right Whale News.
Moe has recently joined the Center for Coastal Studies as Senior
Scientist, focusing on genetics, surveillance and monitoring work on
right whales as well as conservation work resulting from the
research. She will also continue her work with East Coast Ecosystems
in Nova Scotia and will help us cover news from Canada.
To subscribe or submit news or articles for publication, contact the
editor, Hans Neuhauser, at the Georgia Environmental Policy
Institute, 380 Meigs Street, Athens, GA 30601; telephone
706-546-7507; fax 706-613-7775. If you wish to receive Right Whale
News over the Internet, please contact Hans Neuhauser at:
gepi@ix.netcom.com
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has underwritten production
costs of this issue of Right Whale News. The Gray s Reef National
Marine Sanctuary has underwritten the printing and mailing costs.
Thanks!