One of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales is expected to die after becoming entangled in fishing gear near Nantucket along with a second whale, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

“North Atlantic right whales continue to be entangled at levels that could push this critically endangered species to extinction,” said Amy Knowlton, senior scientist at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. “It is distressing that multiple generations of right whales have been affected by the devastating harm of entanglements, which is resulting in deaths, health declines, and slower reproductive rates.”

The two right whales were spotted swimming entangled by an aerial survey about 50 miles southeast of Nantucket in Massachusetts on Dec. 9, the NOAA said.

North Atlantic right whales are considered critically endangered and have fewer than 370 left in the world.

The right whales were identified as Catalog #4120, a 13-year-old female, and Catalog #5110, a 3-year-old male.

The female whale has had three documented entanglements, and scientists determined the latest entanglement may impact her ability to reproduce. #4120 has “two lines exiting the left side of her mouth, with both lines extending a half to two thirds of the way down the body,” NOAA said.

The NOAA Fisheries biologists made a preliminary determination that her injuries are a “morbidity,” or sublethal injury case.

This was the younger male whale’s first entanglement, the NOAA said. Because of the “configuration of the entangling gear” and serious injuries, the scientists said, he is likely to die.

The two whales are the 149th and 150th documented cases in the ongoing North Atlantic right whale Unusual Mortality Event, which includes “dead, seriously injured, or otherwise health-compromised whales” since 2017, the NOAA said. Since 1980, the New England Aquarium staff said, scientists have recorded over 1,800 entanglement events, which include over 85% of the right whale population.

NOAA staff said entanglement response teams did not respond after the first sighting because of the time of day and distance from the shore, but the teams will work with authorized responders and experts to monitor both whales.

“We will further document the entanglements and determine if entanglement responses will be possible,” the NOAA said.

These serious injuries and deaths of right whales are “preventable and highlight the importance of implementing effective changes to reduce ongoing threats from fishing gear, including broader adoption of ropeless or ‘on demand’ gear and weaker ropes,” Knowlton said. The Aquarium scientist urged a shift in industry practices to help save the species.

The NOAA encouraged mariners to report sightings of entangled, injured or dead whales.

_____

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.