right whales

This summer, the state of Maine launched a research program to learn more about the whereabouts of North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of Maine. The findings could be critical for the future of the state's lobster industry — and in the race to preserve the critically endangered population.

At least three right whales have been killed by ships within the last year, and conservationists and scientists say the population, with less than 350 individuals remaining, can't afford to wait longer for stricter speed rules.

Many scientific and environmental groups said the recent recovery of Maine fishing rope from a dead right whale should also highlight the urgency for testing alternative gear and implementing new vessel speed limits.

Maine fisheries officials and lobstermen called the incident "unfortunate but rare." But scientists caution that the vast majority of right whale entanglements are undetected and the gear historically has not been recovered or identified.

Potential wind energy areas for the Gulf of Maine haven't been finalized. But federal environmental agencies say if development does move ahead in the Gulf, it would occur in an area that's a critical habitat for right whales.

More than $17 million in federal funds will be used to deploy additional passive acoustic monitors and conduct aerial surveys in an effort to spot right whales in the Gulf of Maine. State officials hope to the use the newly gathered data to advocate for Maine's fishing industry.

State officials see the work as a way to get more Maine feedback into the hands of federal regulators, who are looking for ways to further reduce the risk of entanglement and injury to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Federal officials have implemented a voluntary slow zone for mariners east of Portland due to the presence of critically endangered right whales.

The New England Aquarium identified at least 32 right whale injuries this year, including two vessel strikes and six entanglements with observed gear attached.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed a rule that would reduce ship speeds and expand the areas where those speed limits apply. A coalition of environmental groups wants those rules in place by Nov. 15, the start of calving season.