Today the long fought-for speed regulations go into effect for shipping lanes within 23 miles of the eastern seaboard. (previous posts about it here, here and here. Also read what the experts think over on the research team's Bay of Fundy blog.)
What does this mean for the future of right whales? It helps:
Researchers have found that the probability of right whales dying after being struck drops from over 80% when a vessel is traveling at 15 knots or more to just above 20% when a vessel is traveling at 10 knots or less. Average vessel speeds in critical right whale habitats have been around 15 knots.
But it is not a panacea. In fact, it's less strict than the originally drafted rule. The questions that remain now are 1.) How will this be enforced? and 2.) What effect will the regulation have on the right whale population?
The research team continues to be engaged with officials to find the answers to those two questions.
1 comment:
Congrats to all involved in getting it implemented!
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