Dead Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Washes Up in Virginia
UPDATE - February 15,2023
NOAA released a statement with necropsy results which reads -
"On February 12, 2023, a dead North Atlantic right whale stranded on Virginia Beach. The whale was identified as a 20-year-old, 43-foot male, catalog # 3343. A thorough multiagency necropsy was conducted and led by the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the City of Virginia Beach’s Beach Operations Division.
Experts determined the whale suffered a catastrophic blunt force traumatic injury, impacting a large portion of the vertebral column. The injuries, consistent with vessel strike, included multiple vertebral fractures and separations that would have resulted in death shortly after the injury. The whale was in otherwise normal to thin nutritional condition, with no evidence of recent entanglement, and no obvious external evidence of the trauma."
WDC has been working to protect right whales from vessel strikes
WDC recently petitioned the US government to improve its vessel strike speed rule to increase protections for right whales from being accidentally struck by a vessel. The final rule has faced delays and has not been released yet.
WDC is heartbroken to report a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was found dead yesterday in Virginia. This whale has been identified as a 20-year-old, adult male identified as catalog #3343.
As part of NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network, WDC’s Stranding Coordinator, Sarah McCormack, assisted experts in the necropsy (animal autopsy) to try to identify the cause of death.
How did this whale die?
Scientists performed a necropsy (animal autopsy) where they will take samples and gather information to try to determine why this whale died and NOAA released a statement based on their results.
"Experts determined the whale suffered a catastrophic blunt force traumatic injury, impacting a large portion of the vertebral column. The injuries, consistent with vessel strike, included multiple vertebral fractures and separations that would have resulted in death shortly after the injury. The whale was in otherwise normal to thin nutritional condition, with no evidence of recent entanglement, and no obvious external evidence of the trauma."
How common is this event?
Right whales have been undergoing an unusual mortality event since 2017 where more than 95 right whales have been killed or injured. These deaths have been found to be primarily a result of human impacts - accidental entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes.
What is WDC doing to save North Atlantic right whales from human threats?
Since our incorporation in 2005, WDC-North America has had a dedicated program to save North Atlantic right whales by advocating for policies that are in the best interest of right whales. Most recently in the fall of 2022, WDC petitioned the US government to improve its vessel strike speed rule to increase protections for right whales from being accidentally struck by a vessel. The final rule has not been released yet.
WDC and our partners launched a free, self-guided course that will help recreational boaters follow best operational practices and federal regulations for distance and speed requirements around right whales. If you or someone you know is a boater along the US Atlantic coast, you can help keep them, their vessel, and whales safe by sharing our course with them: www.seeaspout.org.
WDC is also working to reduce the risk of right whales becoming accidentally entangled in fishing gear by collaborating with other NGOs, scientists, NOAA, and fishermen as we test new technologies in fishing.
WDC’s Executive Director, Regina Asmutis-Silvia, is a federally appointed member of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team which is a group of stakeholders assembled by the National Marine Fisheries Service to make a plan to reduce the accidental impacts of fishing on marine mammals. The take reduction team has representatives from conservation groups, commercial fisheries, state and federal agencies, and scientific institutions.
What can I do to help North Atlantic right whales?
Just remember your ABC’s!
A - Advocate for right whales
Sign WDC’s Raise your RIGHT Hand Pledge to be notified when we have an action for you to take to advocate for right whales.
B - Broadcast information
- Share the plight of right whales with three friends.
- Like, comment, and share this on social media
C -Contribute
Donate to WDC to support our policy work to protect North Atlantic right whales
For any press inquiries, contact:
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Executive Director, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, (508) 746-2522, [email protected]
Sarah McCormack, Stranding Coordinator, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, (508 )746-2522, [email protected]
Share with your pod!
