The Future of North Atlantic Right Whales and Fishing and Shipping Interactions

Abstract

Abstract Despite almost a century protected from whaling, the North Atlantic right whale remains endangered. This species grew from 292 individuals in 1992 to 482 individuals in 2010, but the decline since then has been precipitous; to 336 in 2020, and evidence suggests it continues to fall. Entanglements in rope and collisions by ocean-going vessels are the two human activities attributable to all known post-natal serious injuries and deaths. To consider if the ocean of our future will have North Atlantic right whales, first, the multiplicity of efforts underway to reduce harm to these animals are pre-sented. This includes spatial management measures for fishing and ship-ping in Canada and the United States, and the development and adoption of buoyless (i.e., on-demand, ropeless) fishing gear. Second, a brief reflec-tion is offered on the resilient traits and extraordinary recoveries this spe-cies has already shown. The conclusion of this discussion is that this is not a defeated species. It will recover if we stop harming them. Several important actions are necessary to accomplish this. These are simple to list but very challenging to put into practice, requiring, therefore, widespread and collec-tive willingness and support.