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For Immediate Release
Right Whale Injured by Propeller Off Georgia Coast
Maiming Follows Death of Right Whale Calf Last Month Coast Guard Action Needed to Avoid Whale-Ship Strikes
Washington,
DC -- Another endangered right whale has been
injured by the propeller of a ship off the Georgia coast. Last month a right
whale calf was killed after receiving similar wounds off the coast of Florida.
Conservation groups have asked the Coast Guard, which manages commercial
shipping lanes, to implement new speed and navigational requirements to avoid
these potentially deadly ship strikes, but they so far have failed to act,
prompting the conservation groups to seek help from the courts.
“There
are less than 300 right whales left. This magnificent animal is dying off right
before our eyes and still the Coast Guard refuses to act,” said Andrew Hawley,
spokesperson for Defenders of Wildlife, one of the groups seeking the shipping
lane and speed changes.
When a whale is struck by a large ship, it can
receive massive lacerations that cause the whale to bleed to death. Some whales
have their backs broken, which prevents them from surfacing for air. Others have
their jaws broken, which prevents them from feeding and leads to their ultimate
starvation.
“The Coast Guard has the power to save the right whale. All
we’re asking is that they take appropriate steps so commercial shipping can
continue in a safe manner, even as we work together to save the right whale,”
added Hawley.
Photo: New England Aquarium / Taken under NOAA Fisheries Service Permit #665-1652-00.
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Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 490,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
