It’s a big investment towards protecting one of the world’s most endangered whale species. The federal government announced earlier in August that millions will be invested in new technology to help save the North Atlantic right whale.
With fewer than 360 of the whales left, efforts are underway to make commercial fishing safer for these rare creatures. Federal authorities are committing nearly $10 million to promote the use of ropeless fishing gear.
The new fishing technology is different from typical traps connected to the surface by ropes. This gear relies on systems like inflatable lift bags that bring traps to the surface without the need for a permanent vertical line in the water.
It’s not just fishing gear threatening these giant animals. Offshore wind projects are also under careful examination. There are growing concerns about how geophysical surveys could also impact marine life.
In addition to the development of new gear, almost $3 million will go towards improving monitoring and prediction efforts for whale movements.
During the transition to new technology, some fishermen are choosing to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency said the right whales are “approaching extinction.”
The hope is that this ropeless fishing gear can be a step towards saving whales, supporting sustainable industries and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The future of the North Atlantic right whale may hang in the balance.