Extinction looms for the rare North Atlantic Right Whale as numbers are not growing (no births recorded this year) and a record of at least 17 whale deaths most due to ship collisions and fishing gear entanglement.
Centuries ago, the RIGHT whale, so called because it was the right and preferred one for whalers to hunt, were numerous in the many thousands. But over hunting by whalers decimated the population, left struggling basically since the early 1700’s.
Some estimates predict extinction by the year 2040, if things don’t change to improve the whales chances of surviving as a species.
Canada has implemented some additional protective controls, such as speed reductions including heavier fines for speeding ships in the St. Lawrence, and a much enhanced aerial observation program.
LETS ALL HOPE THIS WORKS…