NOAA
Fisheries Team to Continue Research on Beluga Whales off Rhode Island
Gloucester,
MA (May 15, 2015): Days after Mystic Aquarium research scientists confirmed reports
of beluga whale sightings off the coast of Rhode Island, with help from the
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing further assessment.
On Friday, a team from NOAA Fisheries, with assistance from Mystic Aquarium’s
Research and Animal Rescue teams, located the whales, and obtained biopsy
samples to assess their health and genetic origin.
While
unconfirmed, it is believed that the others are from the same population. The
St. Lawrence belugas have been in a slow population decline for the past decade
and were believed to number only around 900 animals in 2013, down from more
than 10,000 in the late 1800s.
Although the St. Lawrence population of beluga whales is not
listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S.’s Endangered Species Act,
these visitors are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act in U.S.
waters.
Beluga whales have been spotted in Narragansett waters once
before, and individuals are occasionally seen in waters off Maine and
Massachusetts as well. This is the first time a group of three whales has been
spotted together in regional waters, NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Response Coordinator Mendy Garron says.
“These whales may have followed the cold waters
of the Labrador current down along the coast,” says Garron. “Water temperatures
are still cool in the Northeast, which may be favorable for beluga whales and
their prey.”
NOAA
Fisheries and Mystic Aquarium reminds residents and boaters in the area that
Federal guidelines require people to stay at least 100 feet away from the
animals and not chase them or impede their movements. Vessels should slow to
no-wake speeds if near the whales. Please don’t try to interact or feed the
whales, as these activities will be detrimental to their health and
well-being.
“We
ask that boaters keep a sharp lookout for these whales when starting their
boats in the marina,” said Garron. “We also ask that should the whales approach
your boat, you put your boat in neutral until they have passed safely. Also,
please report any sightings. Locating the whales will help us keep them safe.”
Please
report any sightings to NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement
Hotline at 866-755-NOAA (6622) or to Mystic
Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Hotline at 860.572.5955 ext. 107.
Interaction
with beluga whales and all marine mammals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972. Please report harassment to the NOAA Office of Law
Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.
Regional Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines are available at:
