The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. Its population loss appears to be slowing. But scientists warn that the large sea animals still face threats.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that by the early 1890s, commercial whalers almost destroyed the species. They got their name from being the “right” whales to hunt because they floated when they were killed. Commercial whale fishing is no longer a threat, but its population has never fully returned. They have been protected for many years now.
Right whales primarily occur in Atlantic coastal waters on the continental shelf, although they also are known to travel far offshore, over deep water. They migrate seasonally and may travel alone or in small groups. In the spring, summer, and into fall, many of these whales can be found in waters off New England and further north into Canadian waters, where they feed and mate.
Recently, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC) said the population decrease appears to have leveled off. A strong birthing year in 2021, when 18 baby whales, or calves, were born, kept whale population numbers up. However, the organization warned that the high number of deaths faced by whales from getting caught in fishing equipment or struck by ships remains a major problem for the whales.
“The news is less bad than it has been. My heart is a little less heavy, but certainly not light or hopeful,” said Philip Hamilton. “It shouldn’t be dependent on the whales to give birth to enough calves to reverse what we’re doing to them.”
Scientists say as waters have warmed, the whales must travel outside of protected areas of the ocean in search of food. That has left them open to strikes with large ships and getting trapped in commercial fishing equipment. Those are the biggest causes of early death.
Many fishermen have opposed proposed fishing restrictions that they fear would hurt their business. But environmental groups want new rules to save the species, including one to make ships slow down for whales.
【小题1】What do we know about the North Atlantic right whales?| A．They regard humans as their friends. | B．They are easy to catch when they die. |
| C．Their population has fully returned recently. | D．They are the largest sea animals in the world. |
| A．habitats | B．hobbies | C．behavior | D．reproduction |
| A．Favorable. | B．Intolerant. | C．Satisfied. | D．Complex. |
| A．Insufficient reproduction of right whales doesn’t matter. |
| B．Fishing restrictions are in great need to be established. |
| C．New findings of right whales bring hope for scientists. |
| D．Threats remain though right whale number decrease slows. |
