As early as this week, federal fisheries regulators are expected to propose a new rule so North Atlantic right whales, humpbacks and fin whales will be less likely to get entangled in vertical fishing lines. A team of commercial fishermen,… Read More ›
Marine Mammals
Gulf of Mexico Seismic Surveys Partially Halted
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Oil and gas companies working in the Gulf of Mexico have agreed not to use seismic surveys for the next 2 ½ years in three areas considered critical to whales and along the coast during the… Read More ›
Whale Entanglement Uptick In Australian Waters
By Sarah Taillier Posted Mon Jun 10, 2013 3:04pm AEST Photo: The whales become entangled in floats and fishing ropes like this one off Geraldton. (file) (ABC TV) Map: Geraldton 6530 This season, humpback whales are facing more obstacles as… Read More ›
Elephant Seals Collect Ocean Change Data
Seals wearing special tags are playing a vital role in collecting temperature and salinity measurements from the polar oceans, delivering insights for weather forecasters, climate scientists and biologists, according to a new review. Polar seas play a critical role in… Read More ›
Risso Dolphin Dies From Plastic Bag Ingestion
A boater discovered a 10-ft Risso dolphin swimming in Haverstraw Bay over the Memorial Day weekend. According to NBC New York, officials said it is extraordinarily rare for the dolphin to be found swimming that far north in the Hudson… Read More ›
West Australian Lobster Industry To Reduce Entanglement
The western rock lobster industry has had its export licence extended for two years on the condition it takes further steps to reduce whale entanglements. Three whales have been reported as tangled in fishing gear this year on Western Australia’s… Read More ›
Packing Strap Removed from Seal’s Neck
By Joan Crowder — Special to The Tribune Rescuers from The Marine Mammal Center in Morro Bay removed a packing strap from the neck of a female elephant seal at the Piedras Blancas viewing area on Friday afternoon. Site Manager… Read More ›
Fishing Gear Entrapments Leading Cause of Atlantic Whale Deaths
From Science Magazine by Paul Gabrielsen On Christmas Day 2010, an aerial team of wildlife spotters saw a whale in distress off the eastern coast of Florida. Her head, mouth, and fins were tangled in 132 meters of commercial fishing… Read More ›
Whale Entanglement In Fishing Lines Deadly
Using a “patient monitoring” device attached to a whale entangled in fishing gear, scientists showed for the first time how fishing lines changed a whale’s diving and swimming behavior. The monitoring revealed how fishing gear hinders whales’ ability to eat… Read More ›
Whale & Turtle Entanglement-Free Aquafarm
From Cape Cod Online By Mary Ann Bragg mbragg@capecodonline.com May 18, 2013 PROVINCETOWN — A new 50-acre area in Cape Cod Bay off Provincetown and Truro could provide income for shellfish growers. But a popular, floating method for oyster… Read More ›