NOAA Announces Alarming Spike , in Stranded and Dead Whales , Washing Ashore.
'Newsweek' reports that in recent weeks,
there has been an "unusual" spike in the number
of stranded and dead whales washing ashore.
'Newsweek' reports that in recent weeks,
there has been an "unusual" spike in the number
of stranded and dead whales washing ashore.
A notable number of these strandings
have reportedly occurred on
the East Coast of the U.S.
Strandings occur for either natural reasons
like age or disease or human-related factors
such as vessel collisions or ocean noise. , Kate Wilson, a spokesperson for the International Whaling Commission, via 'Newsweek'.
Strandings occur for either natural reasons
like age or disease or human-related factors
such as vessel collisions or ocean noise. , Kate Wilson, a spokesperson for the International Whaling Commission, via 'Newsweek'.
Some strandings occur due to a combination
of factors and it's often very difficult to
identify the cause of a stranding, Kate Wilson, a spokesperson for the International Whaling Commission, via 'Newsweek'.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), there have been
nine whale strandings since December 1, 2022.
Among those strandings were
two sperm whales and
seven humpback whales.
There's concern recently about this
increased number and all of these
happening in a relatively tight
geographic area and time. , Sarah Wilkin, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health
and Stranding Response Program of the NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, via 'Newsweek'.
NOAA fisheries have reported
178 humpback whales involved with
this "unusual mortality event" since 2016.
There are also ongoing unusual
mortality events for minke whales in
the North Atlantic and North Atlantic
right whales along the Atlantic coast. , Sarah Wilkin, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health
and Stranding Response Program of the NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, via 'Newsweek'.
So unfortunately, it's been a period
of several years, where we have had
elevated strandings of large whales.
But we are still concerned about this
pulse over the past six weeks or so, Sarah Wilkin, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health
and Stranding Response Program of the NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, via 'Newsweek'.
So unfortunately, it's been a period
of several years, where we have had
elevated strandings of large whales.
But we are still concerned about this
pulse over the past six weeks or so, Sarah Wilkin, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health
and Stranding Response Program of the NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, via 'Newsweek'