Vessel strike likely led to the death of endangered whale in Virginia Beach
VIRGINIA BEACH — Scientists said complications from a vessel strike killed a 43-foot North Atlantic right whale that washed ashore Sunday near Aeires on the Bay Park.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined the whale suffered a “catastrophic” blunt force traumatic injury, which damaged a large portion of the vertebral column. The injuries consistent with a vessel strike would have resulted in death shortly after the injury.
According to a release from the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of endangered species, the 20-year-old whale was found near a port entrance.
The port area has a 10-knot speed restriction in place, but it extends only 20 miles from the entrance. Military vessels and others under 65 feet in length are exempt.
According to NOAA Fisheries, North Atlantic right whales are one of the world’s most endangered large
whale species. The latest estimate suggests there are fewer than 350 remaining. There are likely fewer than 70 breeding females, and the number of new calves born in recent years has been below average. A right whale could live for 70 years.
This is the third whale in recent weeks to wash onto nearby shores.
Last week the Virginia Beach Marine Patrol pulled a dead 36-foot humpback whale ashore near First Landing State Park. In January a right whale was discovered wrapped in fishing gear about 20 miles east of Rodanthe.
“Vessel strikes are one of two primary threats to the species’ existence, along with entanglements in commercial fishing gear,” the center’s release said. “Right whales begin giving birth to calves around mid-November and the season lasts until mid-April. Both females and calves in southeastern waters are especially vulnerable during that time.”