Sea Scientists Awash with Fury over Whale Deaths
|
by Franci Richardson Boston Herald May 1, 2005
|
The death of the sixth right whale since November has state scientists
demanding that the federal government force emergency restrictions
on shipper's routes and speeds.
The
latest whale to die was young 48-foot female, which was found dead
Thursday, washed up on a remote island south of Chatham.
Though
scientists learned the whale had suffered broken bones and bruising,
they believe she may have been struck by a commercial ship.
"We
believe it's important the federal government put in regulations to
slow shippers down and route them around" channels where whales
gather, said Amy Knowlton, senior researcher for the New England
Aquarium. "I feel like, how long can this go on before the
government takes the action it needs to take?"
Right
whales are a dwindling population that now number about 350. Most of
the last six whales who died were young females killed by either
ship strikes or entanglements.
|
|
|
Source: Boston Herald
|
|